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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB-05/31/1996-S 408 SOUTHOLD TOWN BOARD SPECIAL MEETING . MAY 31, 1996 WORK SESSION - 11 :00 A.M. Present: Supervisor Jean W. Cochran, Councilwoman Alice J. Hussie, Councilman Joseph L. Townsend, Jr. , Councilwoman Ruth D: Oliva, Justice Louisa P. Evans, Councilman William D. Moore, Town Clerk Judith T. Terry, Town Attorney Laury L. Dowd. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN: Before we begin, I have an opinion from the Board of Ethics, and I would like it entered into the record : "The Board of Ethics of the Town of Southold met with Supervisor Jean W. Cochran at 9 :00 A.M. on May 29, 1996 to offer- its opinion as to whether her family ties to the Town of Southold Police Department should preclude her from taking part in the decision on naming a new Town Police Chief. "It is the considered judgment of the Board of Ethics that Supervisor- Cochran should disqualify herself from all consideration :regarding the selection of a new police chief. Given that the. decision concerning the appointment of a new chief may have the effect of readjusting the current Town police management structure and, consequently, possibly affect the position of her son within the department, Supervisor Cochran should recuse herself entirely from the decision-making process and thus avoid any ' appearance of impropriety regarding the terms and conditions of the employment of her son in the Town Police Department. "The opinion of the Board of Ethics in this regard was so expressed to the Supervisor at the time of the. May 29, 1996 meeting." In addition, I've asked Laury to interpret their opinion, and if I am able to take part in the general information that Mr. Schneider is going to be providing us. So, Laury, would you please? TOWN ATTORNEY DOWD: It's my opinion that to the extent that, based on the ethics opinion, Jean is going to recuse herself from any decisions regarding the Chief of Police, and she can participate in the meeting to the extent any other member of the public would. That she would not be participating in the meeting as a Board member, and if the meeting should go into closed session, and only Board members would attend, -then she would leave the room also. SUPERVISOR COCHRAN : Now, I would like to add this, and also for the records. Meeting with the Ethics Board they felt a great deal of it, the word that was used was "perception", of how the public would perceive this, -and that is the key. I feel I do have the right to sit here through general information the same as the general public is sitting here, and viewing, but I would like to, so that there's absolutely no question whatsoever, I'm going to . recuse myself from the entire meeting this morning. I would ask Deputy Supervisor Moore, here's your chance Bill, to run the meeting, and I will recuse myself at this point, and I want the official record to show that, just so that we're avoiding any appearances of impropriety. This gives an extra little push. So, I will at this time leave it to Deputy Supervisor Moore. Have a good meeting, ladies and gentlemen. MAY 31 , 199609 The Town Board then met with Alan Schneider, Suffolk County Personnel Officer, who explained the rules and regulations for replacing retiring Chief of Police Droskoski. He first said that under Section 58, paragraph 1-c. of the New York State Civil Service Law, any political subdivision maintaining a police department serving a population of 150,000 or less, and with positions for more than four- police officers, must have a police chief. Fie said the Town may request an open competitive examination for nationwide, New York State, or Long Island, or simply request a promotional examination. Under the promotional examination, they may designate which positions may take the test; just, the Lieutenant, or all superior. officers, the Lieutenant, Sergeants, and Detectives. They must post the promotional examination for 15 days, and those who take the test must attain a score of 700. However the Board acts, the decision rests with Mr. Schneider. In order for the Board to go open competitive, they would have to prove that none of the superior officers in the Southold Town Police Department are qualified to be Chief, and Mr. Schneider would be required to rule on that question. He, said that historically, most of the local Towns and Villages have gor.3 with a promotional- examination. `o.11owing a question and answer period with Mr. Schneider the Town Board voted to enter into Executive Session. 12 :20 P.M. - On motion of Justice Evans, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was Resolved that the Town Board enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel. Vote of the Board: Ayes: Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Oliva, Justice Evans, Councilman Moore. Supervisor Cochran was not present at this Executive Session. Also present: Town Clerk Terry, Town Attorney Dowd. SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 1 :23 P.M. - Deputy Supervisor Moore opened the Special Town Board Meeting, and announced that there being no business to conduct, a motion for adjournment was in order. On motion of Justice Evans, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it was Resolved that this Special Town Board Meeting be adjourned at 1 :23 P.M. Vote of the Board : Ayes : Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Oliva, Justice Evans, Councilman Moore. This resolution was declared duly adopted. Judith T. Terry Southold Town Clerk