Cortlandt yanks $6,500-a-month consulting gig from Puglisi after furor erupts over deal

Last week, it would be fair to say that talk wasn't cheap in Cortlandt.

Former Cortlandt Supervisor Linda Puglisi, who declined to run for a 16th term in November, was set to return to Town Hall later this month as a $6,500-a-month “executive consultant” to her successor, Dr. Richard Becker.

She was tapped for the consulting gig  during which she would provide "historical information and background" to her successor over the next 10 months.

It appeared there would be little work product, except for Puglisi getting on the phone with Becker. If Puglisi were to discuss the background of town issues for 10 hours a month, she'd be paid at a rate of $650 an hour.

Wallace Pond: Cortlandt sold deteriorating dam to unsuspecting homeowners

Pot shops: Cortlandt among 38 municipalities to welcome retail marijuana shops

Puglisi: Supervisor uses reverse-911 system to tout her accomplishments

But a Tax Watch investigation published online Tuesday ended Pugiisi's sweetheart deal. Cortlandt residents erupted in outrage on social media, denouncing the sinecure as a taxpayer-funded giveaway, passed by the all-Democrat town board to its longtime leader.

Becker told Tax Watch Tuesday afternoon that he and Puglisi had agreed to end the arrangement before a contract was signed.

"I think we wanted to be responsive to the criticism, be above board, and have a good start," said Becker. "We don’t want this to be a hindrance."

Warren Smith, a Verplanck Republican who ran unsuccessfully for Town Board in November, welcomed the abrupt turnaround.

"It's a great day for the taxpayers of the town of Corltandt," said Smith. "I'm glad Supervisor Becker has corrected a terrible decision. Unfortunately, these are the kinds of decisions that arise when there is one-party rule."

Cortlandt Republican Chairman Dan Pagano said accountability can emerge when the facts become known, the public responds, and policy makers must answer to their constituents

"It’s amazing how the light of day can cause politicians to reflect," he said.

Puglisi, in a statement issued by Becker's office, said she decided to turn down the town's offer of a paid job.

"It's difficult for me to not be involved so I will be available to assist only as a volunteer to Supervisor Becker and his administration when and where needed," she said. "I would never do anything to negatively impact the community that I care for so deeply and have worked so hard to make it better over the years for our residents.”

The Cortlandt Town Board approved Puglisi’s retainer on Jan. 11 at a meeting during which there was no discussion about hiring the former supervisor by the all-Democrat Town Board. The agenda item did not mention her name.

One member, Francis X. Farrell, voted no.

"I've got confidence in the incoming supervisor to handle the job," said Farrell. "If I have to pull off a Band-Aid, I do it in one tug."

Steven Altieri, the former town administrator in the town of Mamaroneck, and former president of the New York City and State Managers Association, said in all his decades of public service, he has never seen such an arrangement.

"I've never heard of something like this," said Altieri, who retired in June after 39 years in Mamaroneck. "It's nice work if you can get it."

Altieri was surprised by the magnitude of Puglisi's arrangement.

"That's like almost $80,000 a year," said Altieri. "That seems a little crazy to me."

Puglisi, who earned $179,000 in her final year in office, was Westchester County’s longest serving supervisor upon her retirement. She retired after 34 years in elective office – four years on the Town Board and 30 years as supervisor.

Becker, a cardiologist, touted his 14 years of experience on the Town Board in his campaign to win the November election over Republican Laurie Abate.

Less than two weeks after he was sworn in, he won Town Board support for the consulting contract with Puglisi, his political mentor.

Puglisi appointed Becker to the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals in the 2000s, which led to Becker’s run for Town Board in 2007. He was Puglisi’s deputy supervisor in her final term.

The resolution noted Puglisi’s knowledge of the issues surrounding the Indian Point nuclear complex. Decommissioning has begun on the plant, which closed 10 months ago.

“The town was the site of a nuclear generating facility which is quite unique and required PILOT agreements, cessation funds and other special issues,” the resolution stated. “The Town Board deems it appropriate that an agreement be entered into allowing the current administration to call upon the prior supervisor for background information, etc., on various issues.”

Cortlandt Republicans, who were soundly defeated in the November election, lashed out at the deal.

Robert Chapnick, an attorney who ran unsuccessfully for town justice, wondered what Puglisi could offer Becker, who served alongside her for 14 years and has been involved in these issues for more than a decade.

“Becker was her right-hand man,” said Chapnick. “He was there for all of it. I’m incredulous that they need her advice. All I can see is walking money for Linda.”

Chapnick noted that Town Attorney Wood, who has served in that post during Puglisi’s tenure, would know as much, or more, than Puglisi about the Indian Point agreements. Wood remains employed by the Becker administration, as do other town department heads.

“I can’t imagine that Linda has knowledge about the Indian Point agreements beyond what the town attorney knows,” said Chapnick. “What specialized expertise does she possess?”

Becker’s opponent in November, Laurie Abate, was criticized by Becker during the campaign for failing to have the requisite experience to run the town government. She said she was baffled by the Town Board’s decision to hire Puglisi for $6,500 a month to assist someone who told voters he was so experienced in town issues.

“He ran on his years of experience as a councilman, that he knew everybody in town and everybody at the state level,” said Abate. “Now we need to pay $6,500 a month to Linda because he doesn’t know what he is doing.”

When reached by phone last week, Puglisi declined comment, saying that she was no longer an elected official, and it was up to the new town supervisor to answer any questions.

Wood last week responded for Becker in an email, saying keeping Puglisi on, with her “vast knowledge and experience,” will help with the transition to his administration.

It appeared that transition would take until the end of 2022.

“The former supervisor, Linda D. Puglisi, held office for 30 consecutive years,” wrote Wood. “During this time, many events that define the town today took place and continue. It will be invaluable for the current supervisor to call upon his 30-year predecessor for historical information and background.”

Abate, however, said there was ample time for transitioning following the Nov. 3 election, with two months available for Puglisi to bring her fellow Democrat up to speed on Indian Point and other town projects while she was still a salaried town employee.

Abate, who called on the Town Board to rescind the deal, also wondered why Puglisi would charge the town for her advice.

“If Linda really loves the town, she’d tell Becker she’d give him the advice for free,” she said.

Follow Tax Watch columnist David McKay Wilson on Facebook or Twitter @davidmckaywils1. He has written about Hudson Valley public affairs since 1986. Check out his latest columns at lohud.com 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Lucrative gig with ex-supervisor Puglisi pulled following Tax Watch probe