Also, legislators expand power over county attorney
Putnam County legislators on Tuesday (Dec. 3) approved the reallocation of nearly $2 million of the $19.1 million it received in federal pandemic relief funds as a Dec. 31 deadline approaches to commit or lose the money.
Half of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding earmarked for the Sheriff’s Office for school safety infrastructure projects will instead go to body-worn cameras, tasers and software ($800,000) and the renovation of a building at the county-owned Tilly Foster Farm into a new home for Putnam’s Youth Bureau ($200,000).
Sheriff Kevin McConville had requested that the $1 million be used to construct a building at Camp Herrlich, which is operated by a nonprofit on county-owned property in Patterson. But the request raised concerns with legislators, including whether it would be completed by Dec. 31, 2026, when all ARPA funds must be spent.
The Legislature also approved other ARPA redistributions, including $400,000 to renovate the MacGregor Grill at the county golf course that will instead be set aside for infrastructure and design services for capital and paving projects; $235,000 allocated to the Town of Patterson for a dam project at Putnam Lake will be spent on an emergency medical services building in the town; and $130,000 appropriated to the Putnam Community Action Partnership for a mobile food pantry will cover administrative expenses associated with ARPA spending.
Jail contract
Legislators on Tuesday approved a five-year contract with the union representing correction officers, administrative staff and cooks at the Putnam County jail.
Under the agreement with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Employees Association, jail staff will receive 2.75 percent raises for 2024 and 2025, 3 percent in 2026 and 3.5 percent for each of the final two years of the contract. The agreement will cost Putnam County $162,000 this year and $166,000 in 2025.
Snake Hill culvert
The Legislature on Tuesday declared itself the lead agency for the environmental review of the replacement of a culvert where Snake Hill Road crosses Philipse Brook in Philipstown. According to the county, the culvert “is showing signs of hydraulic inadequacy, scour exposure and deteriorating and broken headwalls and wingwalls.”
New director
Byrne announced on Nov. 26 that he had nominated Marlene Barrett as director of the Office for Senior Resources. Barrett, the deputy director, will succeed Michael Cunningham, who is retiring. Barrett joined the agency as a caseworker in 2011 and became deputy director in April 2023.
Veto overrides
On Nov. 25, the Legislature voted 6-3 to override County Executive Kevin Byrne’s vetoes of a local law giving lawmakers the power to fire the county attorney at will and a resolution allowing them to appoint a law firm amid an ongoing conflict with Putnam’s law department.
The local law amends the county charter to remove a restriction that allowed six of the nine legislators to dismiss the county attorney, but only if their interests and the executive’s conflicted and the attorney refused to represent the Legislature. The change, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027 and also prohibits the county attorney from outside employment, allows them to fire the attorney for any reason.
In his veto message, Byrne called the change “unlawful” and said it would “divest” county executives of their sole authority to initiate the removal of a county attorney. Legislature Chair Paul Jonke said lawmakers, who must approve the executive’s nomination for the position, should have the right to hire and fire the county attorney. “He works directly for us, as he does for the county,” he said.
Nancy Montgomery, who represents Philipstown and part of Putnam Valley as the Legislature’s sole Democrat, voted against both overrides. Two Republican legislators, William Gouldman (Putnam Valley) and Erin Crowley (Carmel) also opposed the measures.
“It’s concerning that we created this chaos during a time when we should have been serving the people,” said Montgomery.
Livestreams
The Legislature announced on Nov. 21 that it would livestream all its committee meetings at putnamcountyny.gov/legislature. Until earlier this year, the meetings were available only as recorded audio files.
Antisemitism definition
On Nov. 21, Byrne enacted a resolution passed unanimously by the Legislature that adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.
It reads: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
In a statement, Byrne said: “Putnam County has always stood for tolerance and respect, and this resolution is another step in ensuring all residents feel safe and protected.”
Rep. Mike Lawler, whose district includes Philipstown and Putnam Valley, has introduced legislation at the federal level to adopt the IHRA definition.
The Putnam resolution “directs the definition to be used exclusively as a tool for training, education and recognizing antisemitic incidents, ensuring its alignment with constitutional principles” such as freedom of speech, the county said in a news release.
Burn ban
A temporary burn ban enacted Oct. 28 by Byrne in response to the threat of wildfires because of dry conditions has expired. A statewide ban expired Nov. 30.
The county said that, between Oct. 23 and Nov. 18, its 911 Center received 152 calls about brush fires, open burns, outside smoke conditions and out-of-county mutual aid. This included 29 brush fire dispatches and seven deployments to Orange County to help fight the Jennings Creek/Greenwood Lake fire.
“The last six weeks have been a trying time for our local fire departments and first responders,” Byrne said in a statement. “We owe them all a great thanks for their vigilance, outstanding work and continued efforts monitoring the situation.”
The Putnam County Legislature has become a house divided, not by political party, but by two distinct factions, each operating under a vastly different set of rules. This division has become increasingly apparent over the past several months, when policy has clearly taken a backseat to politics, resulting in a toxic environment, particularly for those who dare to question the authority of the chairman, Paul Jonke.
Mr. Jonke has demonstrated a consistent pattern of disrespect and disregard for any colleague who dares to challenge his decisions or opinions. His behavior towards female colleagues who do not conform to his expectations is particularly egregious, marked by misogynistic comments and actions.
I was utterly appalled by what I witnessed during a Dec. 10 special meeting of the legislature, where Chairman Jonke questioned Legislator Nancy Montgomery’s ability to read, and repeatedly shut down and demeaned Legislator Erin Crowley, because both of them had the audacity to ask questions rather than simply parrot the company line.
It is clear that Mr. Jonke is unfit to serve as chair. His leadership style is divisive and counterproductive, and his behavior is a disgrace to the office he holds. The people of Putnam County deserve a legislature that is fair, transparent and respectful of all its members. I urge the legislature to take immediate action to address this issue and to restore a sense of civility and cooperation to the governing body. It is not sufficient to let his term as chairman expire at the end of the year; he should resign immediately.