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Town council members oppose Nolan's third attempt to cut benefits; Nolan says cost to taxpayers exceeds $30,000 per month Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan made a third attempt to cut benefits for part-time, paid appointees to Town boards, but his motion failed as it has twice before when all four council members refused to second it. "Every day we delay in passing this measure, we are costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars," said Nolan. He estimates that the Town will spend more than $360,000 this year on health insurance, including dental and optical, for these employees. During the last 30 days while his resolution has been under fire from council members, the tab to the taxpayer exceeded $30,000 and continues to mount by more than $7,000 per week. "When does it stop?" asked Nolan. "By their refusal to move forward, the council is sending a clear message to the hardworking people of Islip that political pork is more precious to them than taxpayer relief. Essentially, the council members are thumbing their collective noses at the public." Nolan vowed to continue to push this issue by introducing a reworded version of his proposal at future meetings. A resolution introduced by Councilman William Rowley at the previous Town Council meeting and passed 4- 1 with Nolan as the only dissenting vote, bans the reintroduction of motions that have failed to garner a second for nine months, or until the resolution wins additional support. Calling it "a muzzle on the democratic process" Nolan said he may challenge the legality of this procedural rule that limits the reintroduction of resolutions. "The Rowley Rule is just wrong and was contrived with the sole purpose of preventing me from reintroducing this measure." Nolan continued.
Nolan's measure seeks to discontinue benefits to all appointees to Town of Islip boards and commissions who are not otherwise entitled to such benefits as employees of the Town of Islip. Town of Islip boards and commissions are compensated for part-time duties, which in some cases amount to only a few hours per month. Tthey receive an annual stipend, along with medical, dental and optical benefits provided free of charge, as well as retirement credits that can extend beyond service to the Town. The more than 135 regular part-time employees of the Town earn an average of $11.11 per hour and receive no benefits. Said Nolan, "the math speaks for itself."
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