Still No Resolution on Larchmont Police Contract: Citizen’s Group Supports More Generous Package

by Judy Silberstein

Frank Webers addresses the Village Board on the issue of the police contract

(January 15, 2005) As the new year commenced, it seemed like Larchmont’s board and its police union were close to coming to terms over a labor agreement that had eluded resolution for more than 18 months. A group of residents appeared at the first board meeting of the year on Monday, January 10 to support the police, but the police stayed in their seats, and Mayor Ken Bialo kept his remarks to a minimum in order to avoid unhinging discussions that, according to the Village labor attorney, Vincent Toomey, “were at a “delicate stage.”

By the end of the next day, however, both sides were expressing disappointment with the results of their first mediation session.

Early Optimism

Mayor Bialo opened the January 10 meeting by outlining a number of hopeful occurrences since December 27: the union had brought in new representation and had made a new offer; the board’s labor attorney had responded to the offer; there had been further positive exchanges over the weekend; and a mediation session was scheduled for the next day.

The new police representative, Andrew Quinn, lead counsel for the NY City Sergeants Benevolent Association, is someone the board’s attorney appears happy working with. Mayor Bialo had been openly critical of the previous representative, Anthony Solfaro, president of the New York State Union of Police Associations, who had been involved in the previous contract that was reached only after costly arbitration. “Andrew Quinn is a very fine attorney – a talented guy,” said Vincent Toomey, who has worked with Mr. Quinn before.

“I don’t mean to say there is a signed, sealed and delivered agreement,” Mayor Bialo cautioned. He then opened the floor to comments from the public.

Citizens Weigh In

In the run-up to the meeting, a newly organized citizen group headed by long-term residents Frank Webers and Keith McMillan had been circulating a petition and organizing fellow residents to request a more generous pay and benefit package for the Larchmont police. Turnout at the board meeting was lighter than expected by the organizers, however, they reported that over 400 residents had signed the petitions. A number of residents did appear to speak in favor of providing a better contract, even if that required an increase in taxes.

Mr. Webers, who is the president of Collins Brothers Movers, listed major concerns with the current situation: police wages are substandard; seasoned officers are leaving; and morale is at an all-time low. Furthermore, he has spoken to other village employees who say they also are not being fairly treated. “Like it or not, you are in the people business,” he told the board.

Keith McMillan, Frank Webers and Detective Barbara Daquino at the Jan. 10 meeting.

He was followed by Mr. McMillan, a life-long resident of Larchmont and a local attorney, who argued that benefits for police retirees are only half of what other communities offer, and wages are near the bottom. “We have to do something better to be competitive,” he said.

Tom Connell, a former chief of the Larchmont Fire Department recalled how much he appreciated seeing “those men in blue” when he responded to a fire call. He was looking for “compassion on the board side” and “reasonableness on the police side.”

Phil Johanson, a Republican candidate for trustee in 2003 and a member of the Village budget committee, was critical of the board for not bringing the issue to the budget committee. “I do see this as a budget item,” he said. He supported a more generous package and said, “From what I can see, the impact on the budget is not overbearing, particularly in light of some of the other items we spend money on.”

Trustee Liz Feld agreed with Mr. Johanson’s view on the budget committee and said, “We need to be looking at a long list of items in the context of the entire Village budget." She has distanced herself from Mayor Bialo on the police issue, stating on December 13, “I wanted to be on public record that the board can do better.” See: Board Disagrees on Police Contract. She acknowledged that the mayor was displeased with her public comments, but defended her previous statements as being within guidelines suggested by Mr. Toomey, the labor attorney.

The final speaker was Tony Russo, a former Larchmont police officer who transferred to the Bedford Police Department, mainly for better medical benefits, he said. “No one is looking for a ‘home run’ – just for a contract that’s on par” with other communities, he said. “I just hope things get settled - who knows, I might come back,” he added.

However, by the end of the next day, after many hours of mediation, the two sides had not yet achieved consensus on a contract.

No Success

Mayor Bialo reported in an e-mail message: "Progress was made in the mediation that was held on January 11, but the parties did not achieve a settlement. The mediator set a date for another mediation session but directed that the parties can continue to talk before then if they wish."

Further negotiations do seem to have occurred following the session. Officer Michael Walsh, president of the Larchmont Police union, indicated that the union immediately came back with another formal proposal, the result of the mediation. “It’s one we deem fair. We’re eagerly waiting for the Village response,“ he said. However he confirmed that “we are still at official impasse.”

“I’m disappointed that a final deal could not be struck at mediation,” Officer Walsh stated.

The next session is scheduled for February 15, and one more mediation session is allowed by law before the issue must be settled by binding arbitration, a process both sides have said they want to avoid.

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