In Hopes of Emergency Services Restructure, Lone Layoff Looming
Although during this year’s budget presentation by County Executive MaryEllen Odell claimed no layoffs in the Putnam County workforce, one Bureau of Emergency Services employee is fighting for his job as the department seeks restructuring.
During a budget review meeting with legislators last week, it was revealed Emergency Services Commissioner Tony Sutton is seeking to add two new positions, which would result in the loss of an emergency system-planning administrator position held by Mahopac resident Jim Ciulla nearly a decade.
The two positions that would be added in the emergency services bureau include another deputy commissioner for $79,917 and a CAD (Computer-aided dispatch) administrator for $50,000. Sutton said the CAD system needs to be maintained on a daily basis, which is shared between sheriff’s department, IT department and emergency services. He said the bureau has no one there to currently operate the CAD system properly.
If the proposal goes through, Sutton would have two deputy commissioners to work with, which would be a first in the bureau’s history. He noted they would have different responsibilities.
In order to add the two spots, Sutton said he had to “eliminate” a position “to try and soften the financial blow of this action” that would leave Ciulla without a job.
Legislature Chairman Carl Albano described the new proposed CAD administrator job as valuable because the CAD operation isn’t being used the way it should be and that it required “very trained personnel.”
Legislator Dini LoBue said she was “surprised and disappointed” by the potential move because in the budget address given by Odell, she stated “quite clearly that there would be no layoffs.” She remarked how extensive Ciulla’s resume and experience is and what the county executive administration is seeking it already has in Ciulla.
Legislator Roger Gross also voiced support for Ciulla, adding, “I totally support this gentleman. I know his background and I think you’d be losing a very good man.”
Ciulla, a current member of the Mahopac Fire Department and past chief, actually spoke during the meeting, said on top of being an administrator for eight years he is also an emergency services coordinator that former EMS commissioner and late Bob McMahon appointed him to.
Ciulla said he’s been informed he no longer would have his full-time job as of Jan. 1, 2016.
“As you can imagine, this came as a complete shock to me, especially after reviewing this year’s budget presentation stating no layoffs,” Ciulla said.
Ciulla said he believes he has the experience to operate as a CAD administrator, noting most of the qualifications would be similar to what he does in his current position. He asserted he was “intimately involved” with the CAD system and even sat on a committee to look at new CAD systems. He noted how he’s been “dying” to work on the CAD system since he’s been in the bureau.
He pointed out his qualifications and experience allowed him to be one of the five finalists for the commissioner’s job after former commissioner Adam Stiebeling was let go.
“I’ve been a dedicated and loyal employee for the county with a passion for public safety,” Ciulla said. “And I’m very concerned that many the functions I provide will no longer be available to those that need and depend on them.”
Nacerino encouraged Ciulla to come forward and speak after it became known that he may not have a job in a couple months and “coming off the heals of no layoffs in the proposed budget.”
Before the discussion about Ciulla continued, Sutton said he didn’t want to discuss personnel issues in public, citing he has a professional relationship with Ciulla. Legislators and Sutton met in executive session later on behind closed doors, typical when discussing a current employee.
“I think he would be the first one to tell you that I have been absolutely up front with him from the start,” Sutton said. “I know what it’s like to be in his position. I absolutely understand how he feels.”
