ROTTERDAM 6 Town Hall employees terminated Budget shortfall given as reason for dismissals BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Rotterdam’s new administration abruptly trimmed a half-dozen jobs at Town Hall Monday in an effort to compensate for funding shortfalls they perceive in the 2010 budget. Town officials cited laws governing personnel decisions and declined to name the workers terminated. They did indicate the town shed one full-time position and five part-time positions, with all six employees offered a chance to continue working over the next two weeks. “They’re entitled to the two weeks,” said Supervisor Frank Del Gallo following the layoffs. “They’re all good employees.” Deputy Supervisor Robert Godlewski said the job cuts were necessary to compensate for line items that were trimmed by the outgoing Town Board following the election in November. Specifically, he said the board decimated a line item for attorney fees, which were reduced by $105,000. “Because of what we were left, we were forced to do this,” he said. Members of the board approved the hire of Joseph Liccardi as town attorney during their organizational meeting Friday. Liccardi, who is also listed as the East Greenbush town attorney, will earn $22,000 with partial retirement benefits. The board hired Michael Godlewski to serve as assistant attorney for the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Godlewski, who is no relation to the deputy supervisor, will earn $48,000 without any benefits. The two attorneys will replace the law firm of Parisi, Coan and Saccocio, which was initially budgeted to earn $99,000 in 2010. The previous board reduced this fi gure to $65,000. Godlewski and Del Gallo said the changes in the town’s legal department come during a transition that has been anything but easy. Godlewski said the new legal team hasn’t been able to do much because none of the legal files from the previous administration —such as documents pertaining to the lawsuit against GAR Associates — were turned over when they took over this month. .................>>>>.................>>>>................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00902&AppName=1
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January 5, 2010, 5:39am
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Quoted Text
none of the legal files from the previous administration —such as documents pertaining to the lawsuit against GAR Associates — were turned over when they took over this month.
What?? These are town documents - why weren't they provided with full documentation, to the new administration? They were paid for by taxpayers ... is there something I'm missing here?
Deputy department coordinator resigns in Rotterdam
Sean Ahern 01/04/10
Rotterdam Highway Supervisor James Longo has planned to resign from the position of Deputy Department of Public Works Coordinator after a reduction of his $12,000 stipend to $3.
During the Jan. 1 organizational meeting, the newly elected town board voted 4 to 1 to,"re-appoint various positions, at indicated stipends and salaries, for the year of 2010," according to town documents. The resolution included the decrease of Longo's over $12,000 stipend for the Department of Public Works to $3.
"After the amount of hours I put in last week it showed that it is not an easy job to take care of sewer and water in the town, it's 24/7" said Longo. "The job is time consuming and I won't do it for $3."
According to Longo, a former administration in the town of Rotterdam consolidated the water and sewer department underneath the Highway Department to allow for more manpower with the Highway Department. Longo also stated that during his three years as deputy to the department, the department has been responsive to issues in the town. Recently, Longo worked to fix five water main breaks in the town of Rotterdam in late December and early January. Two main breaks on Altamont Avenue and Princetown Road on Dec. 26 and 27 set into effect a water boiling advisory, which was later lifted on Dec. 29.
According to his resignation, Longo stated that, “it is apparent and unfortunate that partisan politics has played a key role in reducing the stipend that I received for the many long hours which comes with these responsibilities. The events of the last week’s five water main breaks, which were addressed in a timely and efficient manner, are proof of this.”
Longo was re-elected to the office of Highway Superintendent in November of 2009.
What the new administration failed to tell their adoring public is that a Confidential Secretary to the Supervisor has already been hired (before the public hearing on such) and that a per diem secretary has been hired part-time to go full time in the very near future. Open and transparent.....you decide.
As was stated right after the election was over if the new administration doesn't live up to expectations they too will be looking for another job, people are sick and tired of the same old politics that they have been putting up with for decades.
Diane Marco - $15,000.00 per year for Senior Center Supervisor (One person let go and this job given to her) Bob Godlewski - $1,500.00 for deputy supervisor (cut out of budget and given back) Eunice Esposito - over $3,000.00 (plus her $50,000 salary) stipend for registrar. Pat Aragosa - $3,000 stipend (not sure if this is correct), plus $2,000.00 (watershed something or other)
So while they were taking away from others, they were giving themselves and friends the cash.
Diane Marco - $15,000.00 per year for Senior Center Supervisor (One person let go and this job given to her) Bob Godlewski - $1,500.00 for deputy supervisor (cut out of budget and given back) Eunice Esposito - over $3,000.00 (plus her $50,000 salary) stipend for registrar. Pat Aragosa - $3,000 stipend (not sure if this is correct), plus $2,000.00 (watershed something or other)
So while they were taking away from others, they were giving themselves and friends the cash.
Of course they are. That's what politicians do best. But let us not forget the huge salary Parisi's firm got under the reps. And the proposed and supported taxing district for REMS by the reps.
This is a perfect example of why we need a third party like the NNTP. Fiscal conservatives with only public service their passion. FDG and crew are no different than the reps. They are all alike. NO CHANGE! I hope the NNTP rears it's head again in the next election. I'm sure they will garner more than 18% if the electorate.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Anyone know Mr. del Gallo's e-mail address? I'm still waiting for the conservative, people-first businessman to step up for what is right here. If these people are useless, then LET THEM PROVE IT THEMSELVES!
Yeah right Trust. The same way Ms Riitano, Mr Macejka, Mr Brick, Ms Perry, Mr Marx, Ms. Fuller were all given the opportunity to prove themselves. Let them all eat cake. Had Mr Tomassone not cut the budget after election these people may have been saved. Blame Mr Tomassone for the bloodbath. I hear there will be more changes and quite frankly that is why I voted for Mr DelGallo and the reform ticket. I and many other residents still won't rest until that so-called Surprise Party happens.
Sorry, but wasn't Macejka fired because of the reval? Hadn't he previously served under Republican admins? Even still, two wrongs don't make a right. I guess for you they do, Peeper.
Yeah right Trust. The same way Ms Riitano, Mr Macejka, Mr Brick, Ms Perry, Mr Marx, Ms. Fuller were all given the opportunity to prove themselves. Let them all eat cake. Had Mr Tomassone not cut the budget after election these people may have been saved. Blame Mr Tomassone for the bloodbath. I hear there will be more changes and quite frankly that is why I voted for Mr DelGallo and the reform ticket. I and many other residents still won't rest until that so-called Surprise Party happens.
Ya see, all of these political parties do the same thing.....blame the past administration. In fact I believe that stratton and crew are still campaigning on that same issue. Just like obama. Just like the reps did regarding constantino. Just like appointing and cutting political patronage jobs.....they all do that to.
That is why a third party is so desperately needed and will be supported. The NNTP campaigned on the issues, fiscal conservatism, accountability and personal responsibility and integrity. Something we haven't seen in these parts in decades from all the major/minor parties.
And the NNTP and all nationally third parties are gaining momentum at an alarming rate. (alarming only to the major parties)
They all do it....and we are sick and tired of it!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Anyone know Mr. del Gallo's e-mail address? I'm still waiting for the conservative, people-first businessman to step up for what is right here. If these people are useless, then LET THEM PROVE IT THEMSELVES!
email??? hahahahahahahaha... sorry, that's just funny.
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