Ashley Calls on Evers to Suspend Insurance Buyouts Pending Review of Contract

December 4, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

North Greenbush Democratic Chairman Dan Ashley today called on Supervisor Mark Evers to submit to common sense procedures by suspending today's likely insurance buy out payments to town employees covered by a UPSEU contract.

On November 19, 2008, I wrote to the town board urging their review and immediate action to stop this fleecing of town taxpayers and no one has responded, stated Ashley. I warned in that letter that in 2008 alone, a GROSS amount of $28,104.14 has been paid out to nine town employees. "Unless you act immediately, another equal payment will be made before the end of this year permitting employees to receive a payment equal to 51% of the premium that the town would pay for coverage of the employee. Therefore your immediate action to suspend further payments until a determination is made is critical to protect taxpayers".

Today is payday in town hall, stated Ashley and these checks have likely been delivered for distribution. Ashley asked whether more people who are specifically excluded from this union contract as "eligible" would be given another Christmas present by the town supervisor without legal review or town board affirmation? Both the Comptroller and Deputy Clerk were given buy out checks last time even though their titles are not covered by the union contract. Will they now be allowed to receive part two of this payment?

Ashley further questioned whether vender Thomas Murley who in his view is illegally receiving taxpayer funded health insurance despite not being a town employee or a retiree with sufficient service is also "eligible" for an illegal buyout check rather than continued illegal coverage at $5,124.00 a year. Since the union contract provides a 51% buyout for covered people who opt out, Murley, though not eligible as a non employee or non union member could grab a check for $2613.00 since Mr. Evers allows him on the town insurance and has allowed others not covered by the contract to receive this benefit. As a result of the manner in which town insurance is being mis-managed, Ashley called for procedures to be put in place that would require the Town Comptroller to conduct a yearly audit of eligibility for continued coverage which would also determine whether spouses and dependent children continue to be eligible under family coverage. Such a policy should be mandated at every level of government.

Today, more than $28,000 could go out the door in highly questionable payments to town employees and non town employees alike the way Mark Evers does things, stated Ashley. "This is gross mismanagement and where is the town board while this is happening? Ignoring my warning letter and apparently "Out to lunch"", concluded Ashley.

    Dan Ashley

    Chairman, NGBDC