GUILFORD – Guilford’s deputy supervisor will receive an additional $350 a month over and above his pay as councilman for the added responsibilities he assumed nearly three months ago.
In June, Councilman Bruce Winsor, who also bears the title of deputy supervisor, assumed the responsibilities of the town supervisor office when long-time Supervisor Al Doyle became incapacitated for health reasons.
While the role of deputy is to act in the absence of the supervisor, this is the first time in the town’s recent history that the person in that position has had to fill in for such an extended period of time, according to George Seneck, one of Winsor’s fellow councilmen.
Winsor first broached the topic of additional compensation at the town’s July board meeting. Last Wednesday, he addressed the issue once more, requesting that the board increase his pay from the $150 a month he earns as a member of the council to a gross of $500 per month.
Doyle receives $6,980 per year, or roughly $580 per month, from the town as supervisor. According to Clerk of the Board RC Woodford, he also receives a stipend from Chenango County for serving on the Board of Supervisors in the amount of $11,308 per annum.
In response to concerns that his full-time employment as a corrections officer with the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department would constitute a conflict of interest, Winsor explained that pursuant to town and county law, deputy supervisors are unable to represent the town on the county level and there is therefore no conflict. Seneck confirmed this statement, adding that the New York State Council of Towns had already been consulted on the matter.
The town board members present voted unanimously to approve the additional pay, making the change retroactive to June 21 when Winsor officially assumed Doyle’s responsibilities.
Prior to his recent health problems, Doyle had already announced his intention to retire at the end of this, his seventh two-year term in office.