O’Brien misinformed
In response to former Mayor O’Brien’s letter to the New Haven Register dated Feb. 6, concerning the newly formed ARPA Committee, which was established by current Mayor Nancy Rossi, he is misinformed regarding its intent. That comes as no surprise since relying on misinformation while decision-making was a trademark of his administration. Just recently, for example, the misinformation he received while contemplating a run to get his old job back cost him the opportunity to be placed on the ballot. He was given the wrong date to file and never bother to question it.
The committee is tasked with managing projects deemed a priority by city leaders, as a result of having listened to concerned citizens at public meetings and seeking their input. Members are not all experts in construction as O’Brien claims.
Superintendent of Schools, Neil Cavallaro, is responsible for educating almost 6,000 students and works with countless families throughout this community. The Board of Education must take into consideration not only a child’s academic needs, but also their social and emotional well-being. Other members include Rohan Smith, who has a strong background in finance. Mike Last has been involved with several community outreach groups.
It has a diverse make-up of skilled West Haveners who care deeply about the city and want nothing more than to see to it the funds are well spent, and taxpayers get the most “bang for the buck.”
Clearly, Mr. O’Brien who has been desperate to get his old job back since losing to Mayor Rossi, will do anything to discredit her including spreading misinformation.
Ken Carney
Chairman
ARPA Committee
Fix PD difficulties
I read with disbelief West Haven Police Commissioner John Carrno’s statement to the West Haven City Council, as published in the February 3’rd (2022), edition of the West Haven Voice; concerning the crisis in the West Haven Police Department.
Mr. Carrno’s statement discussed the current state of affairs in the West Haven Police Department, centering on wages, benefits and attendant retention difficulties within the department.
Specifically, Commissioner Carrano reviewed wage increases received by our police officers over the previous five years, to wit: 2% increase in 2017, 0% increase in 2018, 2019 & 2020, and a 1% increase in 2021. These wage increases, quite frankly, are pathetic. These minuscule and paltry raises immediately bring to mind the old adage: “You get what you pay for!” The City of West Haven must provide competitive, market-based wage increases for its police officers. Doing so would certainly assist with the retention of quality officers, and the ability to attract the best of new candidates.
The statement then discussed the fact that, in 2009, the City of West Haven decided to replace officer’s traditional defined benefit pension plan with a 401k defined contribution pension plan for new hires. That was a major mistake! As everyone knows, police work is dangerous, especially now a days. The police field is a young person’s job. Police officers rely on and need a good pension plan, so they can retire at an appropriate age. The last thing that citizens should want are elderly police officers who cannot afford to retire responding to emergency calls for service.
A defined contribution pension plan shifts the investment risk to the employees, away from the employer. A sudden market correction or account devaluation as one nears retirement could be devastating. In addition, a 401k pension plan combined with low wages is a deadly combination. For these reasons, a 401k defined contribution pension plan has no place in police work.
When the City of West Haven replaced its traditional pension plan with a 401k plan, it de facto eliminated the disability component of the traditional plan. In other words, if a police officer hired after 2009 incurs a career-ending injury or illness while protecting the citizens of West Haven, he or she is entitled to receive only “36 months of Worker’s Compensation benefits and, afterwards, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), benefits.” In contrast, traditional pension plans contain a disability component which pays 50-60% of base salary to the injured officer. Moreover, if killed in action, an officer’s family receives no compensation at all for future lost earnings. So when the City of West Haven eliminated its traditional pension plan for new hires in 2009, it doubly-screwed its new cops, leaving them with a much less generous pension and no Long-term Disability plan!
Statistics reveal that approximately 63% of applicants for SSDI are initially denied benefits. I wonder if the City provides permanently disabled police officers with legal representation during the SSDI Appeal Process, i.e., hearing before an Administrative Law Judge and Social Security’s Appeals Council?
The City of West Haven should immediately and unilaterally reinstitute the traditional pension plan for its police officers; the matter should not even be a subject of collective bargaining in their ongoing contract negotiations. Even then, officers hired since 2009 will be unable to replace lost pension credits during their previous years of service. The police union is at a tactical disadvantage because, if they appeal to binding arbitration, the city will certainly make a convincing case to the arbitration panel on their lack of ability to pay, since it is essentially broke and still under the oversight and control of the State’s Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB).
Indeed, it boggles one’s mind to see that Commissioner Carrano would need to prepare such an in-depth and comprehensive presentation to the West Haven City Council on matters that are so simple and common sense! And where is Councilman-At-Large Ron Quagliani on this issue? One would think, as a former Chief of Police in West Haven, he would be leading the charge on the issues of inadequate pay, benefits and the resultant inability to retain personnel.
It is long past time for Mayor Nancy Rossi and members of the City Council to step up to the plate and do the right thing. Provide your police officers with competitive wages and a traditional defined benefit police pension plan which also provides for long-term disability benefits. While I am a taxpayer and do not relish an increase in the property tax mill rate, certain expenses are simply necessary and the cost of doing business. Properly compensated dedicated police officers is one such expense.
John Grottole