Town officials unveil their latest initiative in restoring ethics, honesty and integrity in Town government, as Councilwoman Michele Johnson checks off the Town’s most recent effort of creating an Inspector General position in the Town of Oyster Bay. Shown with Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (second from left) and Councilwoman Johnson are Town Attorney Joseph Nocella, Councilman Louis Imbroto, Town Clerk James Altadonna Jr. and Councilman Joseph Muscarella.
A Leader in Local Government; First Long Island Municipality to Hire Inspector General
Building on their earlier initiatives to enhance transparency and ethics, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and members of the Town Board today announced that the Town will be the first local municipality to hire an Inspector General, after a hearing is held to establish the position on October 17th. The Inspector General will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Town’s contracting processes.“To restore the public’s trust in government, the Town Board and I took swift action to install a new, independent Board of Ethics with real and meaningful oversight. We have instituted disclosure requirements for contractors, vendors and
“To restore the public’s trust in government, the Town Board and I took swift action to install a new, independent Board of Ethics with real and meaningful oversight. We have instituted disclosure requirements for contractors, vendors and high level employees to prevent conflicts of interest and improprieties. A former Federal prosecutor was appointed to serve as Town Attorney and employees – as well as elected officials – have been mandated to attend an ethics training seminar,” stated Supervisor Saladino. “Building upon these initiatives to restore ethics, honesty, integrity and transparency, the 2018 Proposed Budget includes the hiring of an Inspector General to administer all aspects of the Town’s contracting processes.”
The Inspector General will be charged with standardizing the Town’s purchasing and contract administration; monitoring compliance with all applicable procurement guideline policies, and requirements of federal, state and local laws; providing technical expertise to ensure all contracts, requests for proposals and bid solicitations are posted on the Town’s website, and expanding the Town’s access to municipal and state electronic systems to verify the qualifications and standing of potential contractors.
Councilwoman Johnson added, “Sunlight was needed, and the Town Board and Supervisor shed it on all town functions. To enhance transparency, we enhanced live-streaming of town board meetings and work sessions so that the public may view these meetings from the comfort of their own home. These reforms were long overdue and the good-government organization, Reclaim New York, recognized our actions. The Town of Oyster Bay is the first government in the State to partner with Reclaim New York to proactively improve transparency and provide residents unprecedented access to government. We will also be the first local government to build upon these efforts by hiring an Inspector General.”
The Inspector General will have the authority to examine the records of all Town departments, and make any examinations as he or she may deem to be best for our Town. The Inspector General will also have full authority to examine the workings of each department with respect to contracts and all Town accounts, and will report their findings to the Town Board as well as work closely with the Board of Ethics. The position will also have subpoena power.
Requirements for the position’s consideration include: a former judge, prosecutor, or individual with comparable experience, with a Juris Doctorate (JD) or Criminal Justice Degree from an accredited university or college; a minimum of five years’ experience in public or quasi-public sector; and a minimum of three years’ experience in supervision of high level public or quasi-public sector staff.
The Inspector General position, which will be structured as its own department in Town Government, is subject to the creation of a new local law. A public hearing is being scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, at which time the Town Board will consider its parameters and implementation.