Supe Calls For Reform Of System Affording Police On Disability, Full, Tax-Free Salary For Years: 'It's An Outrage'

SOUTHOLD, NY — Southold Town finds itself crippled by a state system that allow police and firefighters to remain out on disability for lengthy periods of time, at full, tax-free salary — and Town Supervisor Scott Russell has called for change.

At his State of the Town address Thursday night at Town Hall, Russell addressed the issue. "There are a few changes that need to be made."

Due to New York General Municipal Law, Section 207, police and firefighters who are out on disability are entitled to full salary, he said.

"Fair enough but, it's also tax-free. There is absolutely no reason why, and it is an outrage," Russell said, in an email after the meeting. "It insults all the people who work hard and pair their fair share of income taxes. This seems to be nothing more than a give-away by state legislators who want to buy the support of police unions with taxpayer money."

In addition, he said, "There should be a time limit on disabled status. It should be fixed at 24 months. Currently, there is none. That's why we have officers out for five and seven years. Two years is plenty of time to determine if an officer can come back to work or be retired."

Finally, Russell spoke about the current light duty designation who might be unable to work in the field but can work in an administrative capacity. "Now, if we create light duty and an officer works for any length of time, he's entitled to work light duty for as long as he chooses, even if he will never be approved for full duty. We should have the flexibility of at least be able to reassign an officer to some working capacity without having to make it a lifetime commitment," he said.

"Last year, I stood up here and said New York State needs revise its retirement and employment" system, he said, adding that two police officers had been out on disability from 2010 and 2012, respectively, in Southold.

"When you calculate the costs", the total was $1.5 million last year, and more than $2 million this year, Russell said, an increase of $600,000.

"If you cull the numbers out, that represents 1.79 percent of the tax increase," Russell said.

While the supervisor assured that those costs were not the reason for this year's tax increase, he said, "Things like this make it very hard to comply with the cap. The governor talks about mergers of districts. He needs to focus on where the money is being spent. That's public employees."

While many of public employees do not make as much as people might think, Russell said time limits on disability leave need to be set and the issue of tax-free, full salaries need to be addressed, with light duty eliminated.

At his State of the Town, Russell also touched on a wide range of topics:

Southold Designated Clean Energy Community

Southold Town was designated a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Research and Development Authority, "recognizing its leadership in reducing energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy locally."

Southold is the first small municipality on Long Island to be awarded the designation, Russell said. "It's an honor to be recognized for the efforts we have made in reducing our impacts on the environment and reducing our energy consumption. This designation will also make us eligible to pursue grant opportunities, as well," he said.

Fiscal issues

Russell reminded that the town was recently upgraded to an Aa1 bond rating by Moody's, the highest in Southold Town history.

The accounting department submitted documentation resulting in $1.38 million in grant awards and reimbursement to the town; there was of reduction in fuel consumption by approximately $30,000 thanks to the efforts of Councilman Bill Ruland; and the human resources center closed its fiscal operating/expenditure budget at $112,500 under budget due to Karen McLaughlin's dedication, Russell said.

In addition, the town exceeded its estimated year end fund balance by just under $1 million, and refinancing of bonds will save the town more than $1.98 million for the fiscal years ranging from 2017 to 2013, Russell said.

Affordable housing spotlighted

Echoing a concern in the town for years, Russell said the subject of affordable housing is a critical concern for residents.

In 2016, he said, he proposed changing town code to increased density allowances for affordable housing to 12 units per acre. In the past, the code allowed for six units per acre. "We just weren't getting interest from developers for that density," he said, adding that critical mass is needed. The focus is on apartments, he said; younger people in the community are not in the position to buy houses, and apartments will allow them to develop equity as their life circumstances change and they are eventually able to buy homes on the regular market.

So far, he said, the code change has generated interest. "I've sat down with quite a few people," Russell said.

In addition he proposed allowing apartments as a principal use in the town's business zones, with the hope of adoption in 2017.

"We have a lot of old inventory that lends itself better to residential than commercial use," he said. The proposal will be subject to a public hearing in the near future.

The apartments would be subject to special exception by the zoning board of appeals; the proposal would allow up to six apartments, depending on the size of the parcel and bulk schedule; and affordable housing guidelines would be followed, he said.

The proposal, he added, will help to quell NIMBYism, "a challenge every town has to face," Russell said.

Recreation department updates

The recreation department now has a new director, Janet Douglass, who will focus on expanding programs. Programs in 2016 brought in more than 2,098 participants, and Russell thinks that number can grow. The town, he said, has beautiful facilities, including the Peconic School and recreation center, as well as ballfields.

But the public's input is important, he said: "If you have ideas, bring them to us."

Youth bureau initiatives

Southold Town hired a new youth bureau director in 2016, Lynn Nyilas, who is working to establish a youth court for minor crimes, and is working on a mental health initiative to provide much-needed services to local families.

In addition, an intern program with local businesses is being developed, a Dr. Martin Luther King Week of Service was organized for local youth, and Nyilas attended Safe Talk Suicide Prevention Training. A sports equipment swap was also held.

Human resources, making strides

In a program that could be called the "crown jewel" in Southold, Russell said the human resources department, under McLaughlin, made strides last year including a new portable ramp program for the infirm and less mobile, a $100,000 grant for Katinka House improvements, the second annual Orient State Park picnic, continued medical care transportation — and he said, the department delivered 24,180 meals to the homebound elderly, as well as provided 12,044 meals at the senior center.

All, he said, while coming in $112,500 under budget.

Environmental matters

In 2016, Russell said, the public voted to extend the Community Preservation Fund, with up to 20 percent allowed to be used to improving water quality; there is a provision that allows the town to borrow against future revenue so the town can buy property now that it might be priced out of later, he said. "It allows us to be more assertive," Russell said.

The town is in the process of a CPF management and stewardship plan, he said.

Also, Big Belly trash receptacles were installed on Love Lane, saving $3,945 worth of man hours.

With Councilman Bob Ghosio's leadership, the town unveiled a newly established water conservation committee, Russell said, which will focus on education and reduction of water use.

The town, the supervisor said, has continued to collaborate with Suffolk County to approve and expand sanitary systems to develop an action plan for sanitary upgrades. Also, he said, Southold completed a town-wide sanitary survey to prepare for inventory of sanitary systems to develop a plan of action for alternative treatment systems, and will coordinate with the Suffolk County Health Department to include county records.

The town, after an extensive search, hired a new wildlife manager to focus on the culling the deer herd; in 2016, the town accepted 378 deer carcass at the landfill, a 20 percent increase, Russell said. The program will expand to include focus on Canadian geese and feral cats, he said.

Working with Rep. Lee Zeldin, legislation was passed to halt the sale of Plum Island, Russell said, which will help to allow a continued effort to protect and save jobs on Plum Island and keep the pristine acreage of the island preserved.

"We've got a long way to go, the fight's not over," Russell said, but thanked Zeldin for his diligent efforts.

Reflecting on helicopter noise, Russell said, with Zeldin's support, the town filed a formal complaint with the Federal Transportation Commission for establishing a north shore route as mandatory, which, he said, was in violation of federal law and executive order. The route was established without public input, comment period, or prior notification, Russell said.

"We are talking regularly about legal options if we don't get a response, but I think in the near future, we will get a response," the supervisor said.

Other highlights of the past year from an environmental perspective included a town-hosted alternative wastewater treatment forum, and a shellfish testing program to identify clean water bodies and impaired water bodies to help develop a remediation plan.

"We need to focus our money as wisely as we can," Russell said. "Historically, the DEC is casting a wide net and this isn't fair." Science has proven that many closed water bodies are actually clean and should be open to shellfishing, Russell said.

The solid waste transfer station accepted 2,008 tons of brush, he said.

And, Russell said, 49 percent of of total incoming waste to the landfill was recycled. "That's a substantial program, that is really successful. That's the public in Southold Town showing they really care about the environment," he said. "I would take that reach and compare it to any municipality on Long Island, in New York State, or any in the northeast," he said.

The town has also generated $6,000 in revenue by collecting 95 tons of e-waste, Russell said.

A $245,000 grant allowed for the Bay to Sound Trail, connecting 115 acres from Peconic Bay to the Long Island Sound, he said.

Building/zoning/planning news

Grant funds of $57,200 from New York State were garnered for the town's comprehensive plan update, Russel said. Public meetings were held on the update, with the land use chapter critical.

Agricultural updates

A complete review of Chapter 72 of the town code is underway, Russell said, which will expand definitions and uses.

In addition, a new working group is being created to address the growth and new challenges of the industry, including the emergency of breweries and distilleries, Russell said.

The goal is to create consensus and create new code, he said. There's been much evolution and New York State "has changed the rules quite a bit," he said. "Southold Town needs to be able to accommodate those uses."

Capital projects

The supervisor also discussed the town's new fueling station, which will help the town if another Sandy like storm hits the area, as well as a new highway facility building.

Zeldin, he said, secured 65 percent of $17.7 million needed to complete beach nourishment at Hashamomuck Cove.

The town budgeted $1.5 million for a road resurfacing plan that sets goals for the next five to seven years.

Town Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando, Russell said, said the own roads have "taken a beating over the past few snowstorms," with repairs needed immediately.

And so the decision was made to raise taxes, Russell said. "It was an extremely unpopular decision to raise taxes and exceed the property tax cap. It was the first time we've ever done that," he said. But the work was essential, he said. "When you drive around the community, you don't blame the homeowners or businesses" that called in with road complaints, he said.

In other news, the town is working on upgrades to its dispatch center, made possible by a $340,000 donation from IGA owner Charles Reichert.

Reichert, Russell said, has donated a generator for the Peconic School, paid for repairs and renovation of the town gazebo, and funded a handicapped accessible playground, among many acts of kindness. "His generosity to this community is astonishing," he said.

The town is also completing an townwide communication systems upgrade, Russell said.

Funds have been secured in the amount of $25,000 for an engineering study for Love Lane, and costs and funding are being identified for the intersection of County Road 48 and Route 25 in Greenport, Russell said.

Town buildings have been updated with improved handicapped accessibility, and ramp was constructed at the Kenney's Beach bathroom, Russell said.

Community relations

The board of assessors, Russell says, offers weekend and evening hours, a residential repair program did 801 hours of service, the youth bureau hosted a movie night — and the Housing Advisory Commission received a grant from the Long Island Community Foundation for a video on affordable housing.

There are some misconceptions that need to be shattered on who needs affordable housing in town, Russell said, with that group comprised of those who live and work here, including young people, retirees, and those looking to scale down.

"They won't cause a large explosion in the schools, which are shrinking and losing critical mass, anyway," Russell said.

Many can't afford to stay in town, the supervisor said. "Unless we figure out a way to keep them here, we will lose volunteerism, knowledge, young people in the fire department and those who come to your house when the oil burner goes. There's a disconnect between who we're trying to help." The video, he said, will "dispel a lot of those myths."

Also, the highway department worked with PSEG LI to trim 91 trees, a Plum Island wildlife biological inventory was presented, Katinka House offered 8,650 hours of respite are and a civil service prep forum was held, with another in the works.

He commended the town's anti-bias task force for their work and said he was proud to be involved.

Public safety concerns addressed

The town hired three new police officers, Russell said, bringing the town's total to "recommended levels."

In addition, the justice court hired five new officers, allowing for three officers to be in court at all times.