Kathryn Luciani Highest Paid Woodbury Town Supervisor In Over a Decade
Since 2012, no Town Supervisor has received more than $57,350 in annual salary.
That changed in February of 2024, when Woodbury Town Supervisor Kathryn Luciani’s pay was “adjusted” to $61,434.
$4,084 more than the previous highest salary given to a Woodbury Town Supervisor.
Given the misrepresentation of the history behind the Town Supervisor’s salary by multiple parties, I thought some clarification was needed.
So, let’s take a trip back in time.
2006
In August of 2006, the Village of Woodbury is created. It shares, for the most part, identical boundaries with the Town of Woodbury. The responsibilities of running the Town are now shared by the Village Mayor, which we already covered here.
From this point on, Village and Town residents begin to grumble about overtaxation because of the additional layer of government created by the Village.
2012
Unfortunately, Town Board minutes and agenda items prior to 2012 are difficult to retrieve.
But.
On November 1st, 2012, Robin Crouse appeared before the Woodbury Town Board. According to the minutes from that meeting, “She added that she feels the salary of the Supervisor should be reduced by $30,000 since the incorporation of the Village several years ago transferred three major departments out of the position’s responsibility.”
So, right from 2012, you have people pointing out to the Town Board that the Supervisor’s role is now a part time role.
2012-2017
The Town Supervisor’s pay remains set at $53,130 through 2017.
On November 2nd, 2017, then Town Supervisor David Sutz presented a budget for 2018 that would set the Town Supervisor’s salary to $33,000. $3,000 more than what Robin Crouse asked for in 2012.
It’s important to note here that Councilman Palermo, who would become the Town Supervisor in 2018, voted to approve this preliminary budget. He did not, at this time, object to the decrease in salary despite running for the position of Town Supervisor.
He then requested that the entire town board be present to vote on the budget, because Councilman Arone and Essig were absent.
On November 12th, 2017, every Town Board member, except Palermo, is present. The 2018 budget, with the Town Supervisor budget set at $33,000, is unanimously approved.
Why Palermo was absent, is not known at this time.
On December 7th, 2017, when the Board met again, and having won the role of Town Supervisor for 2018, Palermo does not comment or object to the passage of the Town of Woodbury 2018 budget.
2018
Much like Councilwoman Luciani, Palermo’s first order of business was to “adjust” his salary.
On January 9th, 2018, the Woodbury Town Board convenes for the first time with Supervisor Palermo at the helm.
The discussion that’s documented in the minutes is worth sharing here:
First, from now Councilwoman Sandra J Capriglione:
With regards to the salary of the Supervisor, Mrs. Capriglione noted at the budget worksession held on October 5, 2017 Councilman Essig was adamant that the salary be $30K, Councilman Arone stated he thought it should be $33K since the judges should not be paid more than the Supervisor, Councilman Hunter agreed to the $33K and Supervisor Palermo stated he didn't want to comment at that time because he was running for the office. No other comments were made at the budget public hearing. She added the Village was formed in 2006 and departments have been transferred from the Town to the Village since then but no change has been made to the Supervisor's salary, noting the Mayor is only paid $25K. [Emphasis added] She would like to know what has prompted this proposed increase. Supervisor Palermo stated he was not going to fight the issue at that time as he felt the decrease to the salary was being used as leverage for the election. He noted the salary of the Supervisor's position has been the same for the past twelve years and noted the previous Supervisor did not reduce the salary for the 2017 fiscal year, only making the change after the primary election.
On January 18th, 2018, Town Supervisor Palermo moves to restrict public comment at Woodbury Town Board meetings.
John Smith asked about Item 1 and if this means that there is no more public comment permitted and Supervisor Palermo stated that is correct and Mr. Smith asked why. Supervisor Palermo stated he feels that the public has an opportunity to speak about issues prior to the board voting on them. While campaigning, the public has told him that they would prefer to have a say in what the board is doing prior to them acting. He feels most of the opinions stated at the end of the meeting are accolades or negativity.
On February 1st, 2018, Local Law 1 of 2018 is introduced.
A lot of people appear to speak, both for and against the salary increase, but I want to direct your attention to Robin Crouse, who returns from the 2012 meeting I mentioned above:
Robin Crouse stated she is 100% opposed to this proposed local law. She feels it is self-serving for the Supervisor, ill-conceived and fiscally irresponsible. After doing careful research of what the town's authority is to govern, protect and service the citizens of Woodbury, she feels it is also a responsibility to protect the tax dollars, which she feels this proposed law does not. With regards to the section of the proposed law under legislative history - it states in part the Board has "reviewed and reconsidered its earlier determination to reduce the salary of the Supervisor in light of the fact that there will be no reduction in duties or responsibilities for fiscal year 2018". However the Village was formed in 2006, by overwhelming approval, and in 2007 major departments was shifted from the Town to the Village. This transfer reduced the responsibility and authority of the Town, but the salary of the Supervisor was never adjusted accordingly, which she feels should be looked at carefully. She then noted at the October public budget worksession the Board members present agreed to the salary reduction and she is curious why the proposed law states the Board reconsidered the reduction. In addition, the Supervisor has stated numerous times that he is justifying the increase because he will not be employing a secretary, which is commendable. However, he failed to mention he currently receives health benefits that are funded by the taxpayers, at a cost of approximately $25,000. She does not feel that the Supervisor's position needs to be full-time and the individual should only be available and accessible when needed. She concluded by stating a Supervisor does not need to be at Town Hall as the Town is fortunate to have very capable Department Heads that do not need to be micromanaged
You’ll notice that everyone who appeared against the salary reduction noted the reduced responsibilities of the Town Supervisor in light of the Village and Town splitting.
Even now Village Councilman James Friedband, in his comments at this meeting, was for the increase in salary but noted that all of the salaries should be reviewed and potentially revised after doing so.
Notably: Former Town Supervisor Burke, at this time, spoke out in favor of the pay increase, while current Village Mayor Andrew Giacomazza was against the salary increase, stating:
He is disappointed that the first order of business for the new Supervisor was to give himself a pay increase. He is also disappointed that individuals are attacking former Supervisor Sutz and that he is being accused of reducing the salary deliberately. He added the work responsibility has been reduced so therefore the salary should be decreased as well.
2020
The lawsuit between the Village and Town is settled, costing taxpayers $200,000 according to the Times Herald Record.
2022
I’m still tracking down when this happened, but at some point between 2020 and 2022, Supervisor Burke adjusted the Town Supervisor salary and gave himself a raise, going from $51,130 to $57, 350.
The 2021 Budget Workshop minutes are not currently available, but I’ve requested them.
2023
On November 3rd, 2023, the 2024 Preliminary budget was presented. Councilman Finnegan and Councilwoman Luciani are present at this meeting when the budget is revealed.
The Supervisor’s salary is set for 2024 at $35,000. Both Councilman Finnegan and Councilwoman Luciani approve the preliminary budget without objection.
At none of the subsequent meetings of 2023 did Councilman Finnegan and Councilwoman Luciani voice an objection or concern about the Supervisor’s pay for 2024.
These include meetings held after Luciani won the election for Town Supervisor.
2024
At the first meeting on January 4th, under new Town Supervisor Luciani, no objections or concerns are raised about the rate of pay for the Town Supervisor.
On January 18th, the Woodbury Town Board introduces Local Law 1 of 2024.
This is what it says, in part:
During Fiscal Year 2022, the salary for the Supervisor of the Town of Woodbury was set at $57,350 per annum. The Town Board adopted the budget for the Fiscal Year 2023, which reduced the salary for the position of Supervisor of the Town of Woodbury to $35,000 per annum. The same was adopted for the 2024 Fiscal Year. The Town Board has reviewed and reconsidered its earlier determination to reduce the salary of the Town Supervisor in light of the fact that there will be no reduction in the duties or responsibilities of the Supervisor for Fiscal Year 2024. [Emphasis added] As such, the Town Board determines that the Supervisor’s salary for Fiscal Year 2024 should be $61,434. The Town Board of the Town of Woodbury hereby sets the Salary for the position of Supervisor of the Town of Woodbury to $$61,434 per annum for the 2024 Fiscal Year
Councilman Calore, Finnegan, Luongo, and Capriglione vote to approve Local Law 1.
Almost immediately, a petition starts to circulate to put the issue of the Town Supervisor’s salary on the ballot in the Fall.
Notably, the Town Board answered very few questions during the February 1st, 2024 meeting. Instead, most questions were answered by the Town Attorney.
(Note: Minutes have not yet been posted online from this meeting, but you can watch it on YouTube.)
During the meeting, Supervisor Luciani explains that the pay for the Supervisor was reduced because of a conflict the previous Supervisor had concerning benefits he was receiving.
But given that she knew she won the election on November 2nd, no budget adjustment was asked for at any subsequent Woodbury Town Board meeting in 2023. Doing so would have allowed for the salary increase to be appropriately budgeted.
Three key questions were not answered during that meeting, so I reached out to the Town Attorney and asked the following:
1. Why did Councilman Finnegan and Councilwoman Luciani not vote to increase the salary of the Town Supervisor during the 2023 Budgeting process?
2. Where is the ~ $26,000 going to come from in order to compensate Supervisor Luciani, since it was not budgeted for this year.
3. Councilwoman Castiglioni stated that Supervisor Luciani did not have a transition period. Given that the, at the time Councilwoman, had a majority of the board between the election and the first meeting of 2024, what prevented Supervisor Luciani from being prepared for her term as Town Supervisor, and how does that justify an increase in salary?
There are other questions that residents of Woodbury should consider asking:
What changed between November of 2023 and January 18th of 2024 that caused the Town Board to reconsider the pay increase for the new Supervisor?
The members of the Town Board all said that the new Supervisor “works very hard.” Can the Town Board explain what she is working so hard on given that it justified an increase of salary by around $26,000?
I’ve said this before: I think all government employees are underpaid and deserving of raises. However, they have to clearly demonstrate the need for one because of the impact it has on people’s tax dollars.
Thus far, the need has not been demonstrated, and the residents of Woodbury continue to overpay for a position that, since 2012, they believe should be a part time job.