FISHKILL – On Wednesday night, the contract between the town and the police union (PBA) was presented to the town board for a vote and the board failed to authorize the agreement. Supervisor Ozzy Albra and Councilman Greg Totino, both Democrats, voted in favor of the agreement, Republican Councilman John Forman opposed it, and Councilman Brian Wrye, also a Republican, abstained. The fifth seat on the council has been vacant since Carmine Istvan left after being elected highway superintendent.
Albra was disappointed that the agreement was not approved, claiming that Forman and Wrye offered no credible reasons for not approving it. Councilman Forman told Mid-Hudson News that the board gave Albra the authority to offer raises in the contract but following that, “the town board members were kept in the dark on the progress regarding the new agreement.” Albra refuted that, saying “Board members have never been involved in contract negotiations.” Forman and Wrye also assert that the town’s labor attorney was not invited to participate in the negotiations. Albra called that assertion “a lie” adding that he gave the attorney two weeks to review the negotiated contract and make recommendations, but she never responded.
The contract fulfills two of Albra’s concerns; one of “backfilling” and scheduling done based on seniority. Backfilling, Albra says, means that no promotions will take place unless a patrol officer is also hired. “Fishkill, like many other municipalities faces a crisis at the patrol level,” Albra said. The supervisor claims that he wanted to begin a transition to a full-time department last year but was opposed by Republicans Wrye and Forman. “This contract was my only option to retain and recruit new members.”
Wrye says he abstained because the board was “kept in the dark for months,” and claims the labor attorney indicated she made six requests to Albra for information and she was ignored. “She is paid to guide us on behalf of the town’s interests which is in no way to say her concerns, or mine, are suddenly anti-police.”
Wrye and Forman are calling for Albra to reopen negotiations with the assistance of the labor attorney while keeping the town board informed of the progress.
Veteran police officer and PBA President Pat Nesbitt told Mid-Hudson News on Thursday that he is confident that the council members will get to a point where the vote will be held soon.
