MADAWASKA – In an effort to lessen the blow to laid-off workers from Fraser Papers Inc. at Madawaska, community leaders in three St. John Valley towns are collaborating to create a local fund to assist workers losing their jobs.

This weekend 36 papermakers are losing their jobs at Madawaska’s largest employer through involuntary layoffs, and as many as 54 more could lose their jobs in the next 60 to 90 days, officials have said. Forty-five other workers have taken company buyouts for early retirement, and 24 more are considering the package.

The loss spurred Town Managers Christina Therrien of Madawaska, Ryan Pelletier of St. Agatha and Philip Levesque of Frenchville to create the Fraser Paper Co. Displaced Worker Fund.

Their goal is to raise $112,000 to assist the workers. The fundraising will be launched early next week with the assistance of the United Way of Aroostook which has volunteered to assist in the collection of funds.

“I think there will be good support for the fund,” Therrien told Fraser worker representatives at a meeting at the mill Friday afternoon. “We are looking for money from employers, employees from the area, the public and businesses.”

A letter explaining the effort notes that the manufacturing jobs involved are some of the better-paying jobs in the region. It goes on to explain that the employment will be difficult to replace and affected individuals will be forced to take jobs at substantially less pay.

“While the layoffs will have a terrible impact on many people, working together we can lessen the blow,” the letter, signed by the three town managers, states.

They explain that contributions will allow the towns to support the individuals and families with interim financial assistance for essential expenses such as medical and dental costs, heating, travel for job interviews and even relocation funds.

The United Way of Aroostook, according to the town managers, will assist businesses interested in setting up a one-year payroll deduction program for the fund.

Fraser workers displaced by the present round of layoffs may apply for the assistance. Applications are available at the three town offices.

The maximum grant will be $1,500 over a period of six months. The amount of assistance will depend on the income of the individual or family.

For more information, contact one of the three town managers.