Split Vote On DA Public Defender Salary Increase

Opioid Settlement Funds & Mortgage Tax Allocated

DELHI - Delaware County Board of Supervisors were divided on the resolutions for salary increases for District Attorney Shawn Smith and Public Defender Joseph Ermeti.

Although the resolutions ultimately passed, Hamden Supervisor Wayne Marshfield said, "We send notice to the state from this board." 

Marshfield voted against the resolutions - that increased Smith's salary from $200,400 to $221,100 and added compensation for "on call" work performed by Ermeti with his salary set at $187,650 - to protect the taxpayers. According to Marshfield, the state has increased several funding requirements for counties which are difficult to meet. "Enough is Enough for our taxpayers," he said. 

Supervisor Chair and Bovina Supervisor Tina Molé said the increase in the district attorney's salary is mandated by the state and supervisors have no choice but to pass a resolution. 

The current district attorney salary of roughly $4,000 a week is good, Marshfield said with a scoff. "We got people out there making 20, 30, 40 thousand a year and they are paying for these 200-plus thousand dollar jobs," he said.

Other supervisors voting against the salary increases included Wayland Gladstone, Andes, Maya Boukai, Delhi, Rebecca Walley, Deposit, Glen Faulkner, Middletown, Jerry Vernold, Hancock, and Lisa Driscoll, Harpersfield. Tompkins Supervisor William Layton was absent.

One member of the public spoke against the increases during public comment. George Sydlar of Davenport urged supervisors not to increase the salary of Smith and Ermeti stating they do not follow proper judicial protocol of a fair trial. Sydlar was convicted in January of falsely reporting an incident to 911. He said as a defendant in the system Smith and Ermeti were not fair and just. According to Sydlar, he was unable to meet with Ermeti despite being represented by his office. He told supervisors it is "unconscionable to give raises."

Other Resolutions:

Supervisors allocated $4,541 of the Opioid Settlement Funds received from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. The county was awarded a total of $540,965 to assist in the treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and prevention efforts of addiction.

Roughly $26.7 million will be delivered to the Southern Tier to combat the opioid epidemic following the State's March 2019 lawsuit against various manufacturers and distributors - Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal Health, American Bergen, and Endo - responsible for the 'opioid crisis.'

Supervisors allocated $3,492 to send two Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services staff and one judicial representative to attend the annual Addictions Conference Training in Massachusetts. 

Supervisors allocated another $1,049 for the purchase of impairment goggles for the substance abuse and mental health prevention and education program. Impairment goggles simulate the effects of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Goggle wearers can experience disorientation, altered space perception, and vertigo.

In another resolution, supervisors allocated the semi-annual mortgage tax appropriation to towns and villages. The following apportions were paid; Andes $23,433, Bovina $7,979, Colchester $15,324, Davenport $14,618, Town of Delhi $23,262, Village of Delhi $4,008, Town of Deposit $10,886, Village of Deposit $762, Town of Franklin $11,674, Village of Franklin $539, Hamden $7,630, Town of Hancock $28,489, Village of Hancock $2,588, Harperfield $72,199, Village of Stamford $8,396, Kortright $17,596, Masonville $6,321, Meredith $7,682, Middletown $41,209, Village of Fleischmanns $1,195, Village of Margaretville $2,825, Roxbury $33,381, Town of Sidney $18,985, Village of Sidney $7,120, Town of Stamford $10,659, Village of Stamford $1,326, Village of Hobart $1,691, Tompkins $5,420, Town of Walton $23,370, Village of Walton $5,009.

Supervisors passed a local law to permit 12 and 13 year old licensed hunters to hunt with a firearm or crossbow during deer season. Young hunters must have the supervision of a licensed adult hunter 21 years or older.

Supervisors recognized May 5 through May 11 as National Correctional Officers Week first established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. The resolution states that "correctional officers and other correctional employees continue to play that important role, but in an evermore stressful environment sweeping our nation and the world." The resolution recognized the difficulty of such a complex and ever-evolving job position.

The Central States Communication Association is planting a tree at the County Office Building on Main Street in Delhi in memory of all county staff who have passed away while on the job. A ceremony will be held at the office building on Saturday, Apr. 27 at 11 a.m.

The next regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting is Wednesday, May 8 at 1 p.m.