Money Being Wasted: Majority of Board in the Dark
25/04/19 11:31
In a recent news article regarding an overdose investigation in Catskill, the Saugerties police chief discussed the personnel shortage in Saugerties, citing the fact that the department is down four positions, resulting in sergeants working double shifts (which results in overtime) and the captain covering for the sergeants (resulting in the cost of giving him an extra day off). This is nothing new, one year ago the chief pointed out that the Department had lost six officers to better-paying jobs elsewhere.
Between training new officers, outfitting them, and other costs, employee turnover is an expensive proposition. Why, then, would that chief willingly agree to the loss of yet another police officer? Why, indeed, but he has. And why would the supervisor approve of the “Agreement”? Apparently the chief reached an agreement with the County to re-assign one of our police officers to the County’s two-year domestic violence program. Saugerties would be doing this, together with the Village of Ellenville, at a cost to us of at least $50,000—as well as additional overtime here at home to cover the absence of that officer. While the County would be reimbursing Saugerties a portion of the officer’s salary, it’s unclear if that reimbursement would also include a like percentage of health, retirement and other benefits. And, as to the County’s contribution, it is probably an unnecessary reminder that “contributions” out of County coffers, were put there by county taxpayers, including those from Saugerties—so we’d be paying from both ends.
There are 20-towns and one city within Ulster County but only two (Saugerties and Ellenville) will be making any financial contribution to this program while the others will benefit from it, free of charge.
This “Agreement,” referred to above, was not brought before nor voted on by the Board (in fact, the majority of the Board wasn’t even aware of the resolution)—rather it was pushed through “late” at the County level as Resolution 172 and the “aye” votes were based upon the tacit approval mentioned above. It would seem that instead of giving up a police officer in the midst of an employee shortage in the Department, it would be wise to keep the officer here—and use that $50,000 plus to repair and rehabilitate facilities in Saugerties, such as the animal shelter.
Watch the video here of Joe Maloney’s “no” vote and the reasons that he gives.
Between training new officers, outfitting them, and other costs, employee turnover is an expensive proposition. Why, then, would that chief willingly agree to the loss of yet another police officer? Why, indeed, but he has. And why would the supervisor approve of the “Agreement”? Apparently the chief reached an agreement with the County to re-assign one of our police officers to the County’s two-year domestic violence program. Saugerties would be doing this, together with the Village of Ellenville, at a cost to us of at least $50,000—as well as additional overtime here at home to cover the absence of that officer. While the County would be reimbursing Saugerties a portion of the officer’s salary, it’s unclear if that reimbursement would also include a like percentage of health, retirement and other benefits. And, as to the County’s contribution, it is probably an unnecessary reminder that “contributions” out of County coffers, were put there by county taxpayers, including those from Saugerties—so we’d be paying from both ends.
There are 20-towns and one city within Ulster County but only two (Saugerties and Ellenville) will be making any financial contribution to this program while the others will benefit from it, free of charge.
This “Agreement,” referred to above, was not brought before nor voted on by the Board (in fact, the majority of the Board wasn’t even aware of the resolution)—rather it was pushed through “late” at the County level as Resolution 172 and the “aye” votes were based upon the tacit approval mentioned above. It would seem that instead of giving up a police officer in the midst of an employee shortage in the Department, it would be wise to keep the officer here—and use that $50,000 plus to repair and rehabilitate facilities in Saugerties, such as the animal shelter.
Watch the video here of Joe Maloney’s “no” vote and the reasons that he gives.