The opinion letter by Mr. Leo Pfeifer, posted online Feb. 4, is inaccurate.
Firstly, the Village of Great Neck Plaza has not enhanced it benefits package by over $400,000.
The village budget provides for an increase of $100,000 due to the increased premiums anticipated for Workers Compensation, New York State Retirement, and the New York State Health Insurance Program, which is the insurance most, if not all, municipalities on Long Island utilize.
No additional benefits have been offered.
Secondly, Mr. Pfiefer has erroneously asserted that the $10,000 budget decrease for code enforcement is a cut in personnel when the Village has, in fact, budgeted monies to hire an additional officer.
The reduction to the code enforcement budget is a result of the decrease in the expense of the code enforcement summons issuance software and equipment, which was upgraded in last year’s budget and is now reflected as a lower maintenance expense this year; a good thing.
In the future, should Mr. Pfeifer have questions regarding the budget he should feel free to contact me directly at the village.
Patricia O’Byrne
Clerk-Treasurer
Village of Great Neck Plaza
