HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB-05/31/1996-SSOUTHOLD 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,
Suoervisor Cochran should recuse herself entirely from the decision-making process
a~d thus avoid any appearance of impropriety regarding the terms a~.d conditions
of the employment of her son in the Town Police Departme~t.
"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 theii~ 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 t 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.
The Town Board then met with Alan Schneider, Suffolk County Personne] Officer,
who explained the rules and regulations for replacing retirin9 Ct~ief 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, r~ust have a police chief. He said tile Town may request an open
competitivI examination f~)r nationwide, New York State, or Lor~q Island, or simply
request a promotional examination. Under the promotional exam nation, they may
designate ~hich positions may take the test; just the Lieutenant, or all superior
o~icers~
exam inatio
.However
Boa rd to
o~ficers
Schneider
most of
Following
to enter i
12:20 P.M
Resoived i
Vote of th
Oliva, Jus
this Exe,
Dowd.
:23 P.M.
n nounced
in order,
On motion
this Speci
Ayes: Cot
Evans, Co
.he Lieutenant, Sergeants, and Detectives. They must post the promotional
for 15 days, and those who take the test must attain a score of 70%.
.he Board acts, the decision rests with Mr. Schneider. In order for the
go open competitive, they would have to prove that none of the superior
the Southold Town Police Department are qualified to be Chief, and Mr.
would be required to rule on that question. \He, said tA~-t historically,
~e local Towns and Villages have gon~ with a pr0mbtio~a[ examination.
a question and answer period with Mr. Schneider the Town Board voted
~to Executive Session.
- On motion of Justice Evans, seconded by Councilwoman Oliva, it was
hat the Town Board enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel.
e Board: Ayes: Councilwoman Hussie, Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman
rice Evans, Councilman Moore. Supervisor Cochran was not present at
~tive Session. Also present: Town Clerk Terry, Town Attorney
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
Deputy Supervisor Moore opened the Special Town Board Meeting, and
that there being no business to conduct, a motion for adjournment was
of Justice Evans, seconded by Councilwoman Hussie, it was Resoiveci tl~at
~1 Town Board Meeting be adjourned at 1:23 P.M. Vote of the Board:
mcilwoman Hussie, Councilman Townsend, Councilwoman Oliva, Justice
~ncilman Moore. This resolution was declared duly adopted.
Southold Town Clerk