Orangetown Council Approves Moran as DEME Commissioner

The Orangetown Town Council voted 4-0 to approve the hiring of Joseph Moran as the commissioner of the town's department of environmental management and engineering at Tuesday's regular town board meeting.

Moran, who comes to Orangetown after working as a city engineer in Yonkers, was hired at a starting salary of $165,000 and appointed to a five-year term. He replaces Scott Burton, who passed away in July.

"to state for the record, the salary is almost identical to Scott Burton's salary," said Councilwoman Nancy Low-Hogan.

"Joe interviewed twice," said Orangetown Councilman Tom Diviny. "He was in consideration for the job previousy and took himself out of the running. His resume is very impressive. I think he'll do a great job."

Diviny did not take part in the vote because he had represented Moran on "a real estate matter."

Rather than being given access to a town vehicle for work, Moran will be given a stipend toward the use of his own vehicle. This issue has been a source of criticism of the town.

"I don't believe the board should even consider stipends," said Pearl River resident Andrew Wiley. "Employees can come to town and work in their own vehicles. They shouldn't be given the additional benefit."

"We have several department heads who have cars," said Councilman Denis Troy. "One thing myself and Mr. Diviny talked about with this hire is trying to change the direction we were heading in."

Troy pointed out that as hte head of the town's sewer department, Moran will have to be on site in locations all over Orangetown.

"It is important to have the car," Troy said. "What we tried to do in this case is eliminate the town's liability by giving them the stipend for their own car. The person takes responsibility."

Low-Hogan asked if this was more cost-effective than having a car available for the town employee's use.

"Eventually, the car would have to be replaced," Diviny said. "We are eliminating the town liability for any accidents. We don't have to worry if it's five o'clock whether it's personal or professional use. We don't have to pay for insurance. We don't have to worry if there is somebody else in the car.

"If we are going to go a different route, this is one direction. This might be the new policy. It's better than what we have now."