Nonessential city workers in New Jersey's third-largest city have been told to stay home amid a budget showdown between the mayor and city council.
Tuesday's shutdown affects school crossing guards, street-cleaning, after-school recreation programs and senior citizen services in Paterson. About 453 police officers, firefighters, municipal court and sanitation employees are working.
Mayor Joey Torres says the city will save $225,000 in pay by shutting down for the day.
A special meeting to discuss the mayor's proposed budget is scheduled Tuesday night. The shutdown could continue Wednesday if progress is not made.
A rejected budget included a tax increase of 6.1 percent, and opponents urged officials to cut overtime and to lay off employees to cut costs.
