Town Hall Notes: Housekeeping on First Meeting of 2011

The town board on Tuesday named former town supervisor Bob Kozakeivicz as Riverhead's new town attorney, succeeding Dawn Thomas, who had held the job for 11 years before leaving at the first of the year to become principal law clerk for State Supreme Court Justice Ralph Gazzillo.

For Kozkiewicz, a two-term supervisor who served from 2000 to 2004, it will be the second time he will hold the job as the town's top lawyer, having held the position under former supervisors Joe Janoski and Jimmy Stark. Kozakiewicz will receive an annual salary of $106,000.

The town board also appointed a new deputy town attorney, William Duffy, to join two other deputies in the town attorney's office. Supervisor Sean Walter described Duffy as "an effective municipal litigator, something Riverheads really needs." Duffy will be paid an annual salary of $88,000.

Town salaries set

With Tuesday's town board meeting being the first such meeting of the new year, salaries for all town employees were also voted on and approved. The only change over 2010 salaries involves the 1.2 percent "step" increase for all members of the Civil Service Employees Association pursuant to its contract with the town.

Since the union's step increases were not included in the town's budget for 2011, the town board had to approve no less than seven separate budget transfers to fund the $47,700 the step increases will cost. Examples included transferring $10,000 from the water district's budget for overtime, $6,800 from the sewer district's overtime budget and $21,000 from the highway department's budget for gas, oil and grease.

In terms of annual salaries, top earners in Riverhead for 2011 include Police Chief David Hegermiller at $173,000 and Police Captain Richard Smith at $152,000. Of the police department's 84 officers, 71 will receive annual salaries of $100,000 or more in 2011.

In voting to approve the police salaries, Councilman Jim Wooten, a former Riverhead cop, observed, "Boy, I picked the wrong time to retire."

Supervisor Walter's annual salary in 2011 will be $115,000, no change from 2010. The four other members of the town board will be paid $47,600, also no change from last year.

Walter said Tuesday that he plans to continue paying 25 percent of his medical benefits; Councilwoman Jodi Giglio said she is giving back her $4,700 stipend; Councilman George Gabrielsen said he was giving back five percent of his salary; and Councilman John Dunleavy said he will not be accepting health insurance from the town.

As part of normal, first-of-the-year housekeeping, the town board voted to name Walter the town's chief administrative officer.

New dog license fees

To cover increased administrative costs now that the state has shifted most functions associated with licensing dogs to municipalities, the town board Tuesday approved a new fee schedule for dog licenses.

The fee for a one-year license for an altered dog – that is, one that has been spayed or neutered – is now $9, up from $5. The fee for an unaltered dog is now $15, up from $13. A three-year license for an altered dog is $27 and $45 for an unaltered dog.

Licenses – which, by law, are required for all dogs over the age of four months – are available at the town clerk's office at town hall. To obtain a license, a resident needs to show proof that his or her dog is up to date on its rabies shots.

Councilwoman Giglio voted against the new licensing fees because she feels that residents shouldn't have to fork over a new fee each time a license is renewed. She favors an initial fee of $9 or $13 and no fee thereafter for a renewal.

Why do residents have to pay for each renewal?" she said. "The town clerk isn't issuing a new tag. She's not issuing a new license."

Since the state receives a portion of all license fees, Giglio said, "It's about time we tell the state, 'we can't take any more of your unfunded mandates; the taxpayers can't afford it.'"