The Smithtown Board of Ethics has spoken; Councilman Thomas McCarthy has violated the Town Ethics Code when he cast his vote, the deciding vote, for his 600 percent raise this past September. Both Councilman Creighton and Wehrheim opposed the raise, where Councilwoman Nowick and Supervisor Vecchio voted YES. The deciding vote was the Deputy Supervisor himself, Councilman McCarthy, who voted in favor of his own raise. Former councilwoman Pat Biancaniello called for an inquiry by the Board of Ethics, to determine if McCarthy violated the Code when he cast a vote in which he was the sole beneficiary. The board deemed this as a “Conflict of Interests.”
Section 30-4 of the Smithtown Code of Ethics states: “no official or employee shall engage in any act that is in conflict or gives the appearance of conflict in the performance of the official’s or employee’s duties.” The Board of Ethics further advised the Town Board to “clearly identify the manner in which salary increases for Town Board positions be voted upon so that this issue does not recur.”
So now what happens? Let’s backtrack for all the facts.
McCarthy previously rescinded the resolution during Special Town Board meeting in September. However, the $30,000 stipend increase has found it’s way back into Supervisor Vecchio’s 2015 Town Budget which will be voted on this Thursday, Nov. 20th at the Town Board meeting.
How does a 600 percent raise for one person end up overturned, deemed an Ethics Violation and yet the raise is still included in the 2015 Town Budget?
Furthermore, what warrants this increase? The responsibilities of a Deputy Supervisor are simple. According to the NY State Law, the role of a Deputy Supervisor is to preside as Supervisor “During the absence or inability to act of the supervisor, or while the office of supervisor is vacant…” Why is there no explanation behind a 600 percent raise? Why has this stipend made its way back into the Budget, even after the ruling was declared null and void? And finally, why is it, even after the majority of Smithtown residents have objected to it, the $30,000 stipend remains a part of next years spending? The good people of Smithtown deserve an explanation.