The terms of the plan dictate that members will contribute anywhere from 0.5 percent to 2 percent of their wages to cover their health insurance policies depending on the type of coverage they have, but the provision expires on Dec. 31, 2010. (They currently pay nothing for their health care.)

Supporters of Judy Wukitsch, the assistant director of South Orange's Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs, say that including her post in a layoff plan could jeopardize the village as an arts destination and, by extension, its soulful, communal character.

Roughly 60 unionized South Orange workers are being asked to bite the financial bullet to avert a scheduled layoff of 12 village employees, including 11 of their own.

Robert Zeglarski, assistant superintendent for business, said the move seems necessary because state officials are taking some state aid away, which is approximately how much school officials hope to defer in pension payments. The hit on state aid is only expected to be this year, he said.

The only management position of the 12 belongs to assistant director of recreation and cultural affairs Judy Wukitsch

"There absolutely could be a scenario that some or all of the layoffs might not take place," Douglas Newman said. "That's a direct function of the results of conversations we're now having with the union." Newman said discussions with the union, Local 32 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union, would continue. He said the talks had so far been cordial and productive.