New Trustee: Health Benefits for Former Trustees Need Revising

one of two newly-elected trustees to the Westhampton Beach Village Board, says he believes that a Westhampton Beach policy that permits former trustees to keep their full insurance benefits will need to be revisited.

Palmer made the statement after Toni-Jo Birk, who was ousted from her seat in June, decided to keep her benefits as she is entitled to through the policy that says that board members who serve for five years or more can opt to keep their benefits. 

That policy was updated in 2007 to require that trustees serve at least 10 years, though Birk was elected in 2006 under the prior policy. 

"She certainly meets the criteria," said Palmer, "But it is a policy that can be changed."

Palmer pointed to a similar policy in Greenport, where former Mayor David Kapell received benefits until the village, strapped for cash, suspended Kapell's benefits. Kapell launched a lawsuit, however Judge Jeffery Spinner, in 2008, ruled that the benefits provided to Kapell was a generosity through a policy and not a contractual right. The appeals court upheld the ruling after Kapell challenged it.

Palmer, who did not accept the village's insurance policy when he was elected, believes that allowing Birk to keep her insurance will cost the village at least a half a million dollars over the next 20 years. 

"For a part-time job someone is getting between four and five thousand dollars a year," said Palmer. 

According to an article posted on 27east, Birk can only keep the policy if she pays $20,000 a year for the next three years, until she turns 55 at which time she will no longer have to contribute. 

"This is going to be a hot issue," said Palmer. 

Birk did not wish to comment on the matter.