Without discussion the Smithtown Town Board approved a 600* percent increase in the salary of Smithtown’s Deputy Supervisor.  The resolution was on the agenda as  item  O.  The resolution was read along with other agenda items unceremoniously and without discussion.  The votes were called, Councilwoman Nowick “yes”, Councilman Creighton, “no on O and yes on the rest”,, Councilman Wehrheim, “no on O and yes on the rest”, Councilman McCarthy, “yes”, Supervisor Vecchio, “yes”. 

So it is that the Deputy Supervisor’s salary went from $5,000 to $35,000.  As surprising as a 600* percent increase is, it is not nearly as interesting as the fact that Councilman McCarthy is the Deputy Supervisor and he was a deciding vote to increase his own salary.  Another fact that wasn’t mentioned at the meeting was that the resolution increasing the deputy supervisor’s salary called for a $35,000 per annum salary which means Tuesday’s vote becomes effective immediately and according to Councilman Wehrheim that includes 2014. 

The merit of increasing the salary of the Deputy Supervisor should have been part of a discussion somewhere in public, but never was.  In August, Supervisor Vecchio sent a memo requesting the support of a salary increase for the Deputy Supervisor/Councilman. According to both Councilmen Wehrheim and Creighton they rejected the proposal as a resolution and suggested that the proposal become part of the budget discussion process.  Supervisor Vecchio, in a phone conversation,  acknowledged  the memo and provided a copy to Smithtown Matters.  The proposal seemed dead. Without the support of the two Councilmen and with an anticipated abstention by Deputy Supervisor/Councilman McCarthy at best, the vote if Councilwoman Nowick supported it would be 2-2. 

At Tuesday’s Board meeting Deputy Supervisor/Councilman McCarthy did not abstain and voted to give himself a whopping 600 percent increase in the Deputy Supervisor portion of his salary.  Mr. McCarthy’s salary in 2014 will be more than $90,000 and does not include benefits and pension costs taxpayers will be responsible for. Smithtown Matters is requesting a legal opinion as to whether or not Mr. McCarthy’s vote was a violation of New York State’s and Smithtown’s Ethic Code.  

Smithtown residents deserve a discussion on the merits of raising the salary of the Deputy Supervisor. Residents should have confidence that salary increases for elected officials are part of a budget process and not arbitrarily negotiated between three like-minded board members.  Lastly, transparency is not negotiable. If Mr. McCarthy’s raise was important why not discuss it? The Town Board should rescind this resolution and let the discussion begin.

Pat

* The article has been amended to reflect the correct percentage increase as 600 percent not the 700 percent as mentioned in the article. I should have double checked my math before posting. I apologize for the error. Pat