Orangetown Resolution Would Call for Arbitration Reform

The Town of Orangetown is considering a five-year deal that would settle ongoing negotiations with the police department. 

The contract with the Rockland County Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) that would include retroactive 2.25 percent raises for 2011 with Orangetown police seeing a 2.25 percent raise for 2012, 2.35 percent raise for 2013, 2.45 percent raise for 2014 and 2.50 percent raise for 2015.

One reason the town is considering the deal is to avoid going to binding arbitration, which could leave the town paying for even larger increases. Orangetown officials are particularly concerned that in arbitration, the pay raises would be based on surrounding towns such as Clarkstown and Ramapo.

That concern is sited in a resolution on the agenda for Tuesday's town board meeting calling for reforms to the arbitration process. The final paragraph of the proposed resolution reads as follows:

NOW, THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED that, in the interest of maintaining Orangetown's outstanding police force and low crime rate, as well as other vital services, and in the interest of the Town assuming full responsibility for its budget priorities rather than having them determined by state law, the members of the Orangetown Town Council call upon the Governor and all N.Y.S. representatives, as well as all Town residents, to support reforms to the binding arbitration process, as codified in the N.Y.S. Civil Service Law, including the Taylor Law and related Triborough Act, so that local elected officials who are charged with the duty to manage and govern our communities in a fiscally responsible manner, and who have been urged by the Governor and State Legislature to live with in the 2% tax levy cap, may realistically do so, and in a way that does not cut vital local services, including policing itself.

The full resolution and full agenda for tonight's meeting with related support materials can be found attached to this report. As of Monday, the actual settlement between the town and the PBA was not on the agenda for tonight. Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart said last week that the vote would most likely not take place without the entire board present and one councilman is expected to be absent.

Among other items on the agenda are:

• A settlement between the town and Veterans Park Batting and Food Corp which would release the vendor from its licensing agreement for Veterans Memorial Park. The town would keep $5,000 of the VPBF's security deposit in the deal.
• Authorize Orangetown Police Chief Kevin Nulty to enter an agreement with the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration for 2012-13.
• Approve project graduation funding for Tappan Zee High School ($1,500), Pearl River High School ($1,500), Nanuet High School ($750), Nyack High School ($750) and Albertus Magnus High School ($200). Project graduation provides a safe environment to celebrate after the schools' graduation ceremonies are over. 
• Award bid for a light utility truck to be used by the Orangetown Highway Department to Schultz Ford in Nanuet for $56,595.