How Much is Our Town Board Really Worth?

The Town of North Castle has four councilmen and one supervisor. Together they account for a yearly expenditure of $256,00o. Each councilman receives the equivalent of $54,000 per year in salary and benefits. They are part time employees, but it is impossible to know how much time they really spend on the people's business. In the past they have filed questionable time reports indicating that they were on call at least thirty (30) hours per week. However, it came to light that these reports were created solely for the purpose of earning these part-timers--full-timer pensions. Faced with the illegality of the practice, Berman reluctantly ended it.

A councilman's salary is about $20,000 per year. (Councilman Kittredge gets an additional $8,000 per year for being the "Deputy Town Supervisor.") This means that each councilman gets $34,000 in health and retirement benefits. Plus, after they have served ten (10) years or more they get to burden the taxpayers for the rest of their lives by receiving lifetime health insurance benefits, for themselves and their families. What have they done to deserve such lavish benefit packages?

Once upon a it was an honor to serve on a town board and it was inconceivable that members would receive any compensation. They cared about the town and the small salary they received was a mere token payment. Obviously, in North Castle, those days are long gone. But hopefully we will all live to see them again.