To improve operations and maximize the delivery of services, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board today approved a departmental consolidation and reorganization plan that aims to achieve cost savings for taxpayers through efficiencies. Under the plan, four town departments are consolidated into two departments, and a new town Department of Sanitation is created along with other operational efficiencies.

 

“We examined town operations and best practices with the goal of improving the delivery of services in a cost-conscious manner,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Furthering our commitment to protecting taxpayers, we are moving forward with a departmental consolidation and reorganization plan to bring about greater efficiencies with an eye towards saving money and bettering services for residents.”

 

In an effort to repave a greater number of streets and better maintain roadways, the Town Board’s action results in the consolidation of the Highway Department into the Department of Public Works (DPW). The goal of this initiative is to build synergy between the Engineering Division of DPW and the men and women of Highway who perform maintenance. By rolling the Department of Highway into DPW, the Town will not have to hire a new Commissioner for a department that no longer exists, thus providing for a savings down the line.

 

Councilman Steve Labriola stated, “The Town Board has been focused on finding savings in every corner of our government. This departmental consolidation will allow us to achieve efficiencies, save taxpayers money and improve the delivery of services.”

 

For more than a year, the Town has examined new ways to deal with sanitation, with the goal of creating a more efficient and streamlined process for both trash and recyclable waste. Accordingly, a standalone Department of Sanitation was also approved by the Town Board to streamline inter-related sanitation collection operations and recycling collection programs. It replaces the division of sanitation and recycling collection that was currently part of DPW. With an eye toward cost savings and best protecting Mother Earth, this department will have jurisdiction over the Solid Waste Complex and landfill, which has been capped and inactive for years but requires strict adherence to quality control standards and protocols set forth by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and both State and County health departments.

 

Additionally, the Department of Economic Development was consolidated into the Department of Planning and Development.