Lately, as we cover more police related news, and job fairness news, we have been asking what seem to be straightforward questions that have answers in the public domain, but have been given answers of: “Please submit a FOIL,” by the City Manager, Anthony Ruggiero. Normally super helpful with providing information, this answer has been surprising. A FOIL is the Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6) (FOIL) grants members of the public access to the records of government in accordance with its provisions.

In Beacon’s case, it means that while Anthony might have the answer in a filebox behind him or down the hallway, we need to go to a website to officially submit a FOIL request, which may get sent to Beacon’s City Clerk, Iola C. Taylor, who also works down the hallway from Anthony (or maybe on a different floor, we actually don’t know this part), who then goes through a decision process on if the request can be granted, and sends us an estimate for any paper copy fees, and may or may not provide the answer to the question.

In Putnam County, an actual Secrecy Law was enacted which allows any public document or contract to be marked confidential for any reason. The Highlands Current has fun submitting FOILs to get the information, but we are not sure on their success rate.

Such questions of late have been:

• What was the salary for Reuben Simmons when he was the Superintendent of Streets?

• What was the salary for Michael Manzi when he replaced Reuben as Superintendent of Streets about a year after Reuben was hired?

These questions seemed straightforward because when expenditures are being discussed, salaries are presented. Like last year, when Beacon was hoping to hire an HR person (has since happened) at $65,000. An Human Resources (HR) Director was hired. Or a Climate Smart Coordinator at $9,500. Or the Deputy City Clerk as full-time in the City Clerk budget (1410) for $18,685.

In fact, the salary of the new Human Resources Director, Gina Basile, which was dubbed as a “shared service” with Fishkill, in that she is Fishkill’s Human Resources Director as well, is $88,000. We will have to follow up to see if that is a split cost with Fishkill, or if that is Beacon’s share. Perhaps the answer to the question will be: “Please submit a FOIL.”

As of now, the salary language in the contract is here: “Your annual compensation will be Eighty-Eight Thousand ($88,000) Dollars. Salary increases shall be at the discretion of the City Council and similar to other non-bargaining unit members. Under no circumstances will the salary in a subsequent year be less than the year before unless imposed as the result of discipline or a reduction in required work hours.”

Yay for great salaries, but the application of providing the information is inconsistent. The salaries for the Highway Superintendents were not stated in their Resolutions, however, when Reuben was hired to replace his successor, Anthony Thomaselli, Anthony was hired to stay on as temporary position of part-time Street Superintendent for $50.90 for 8 hours per day, for 3 days per week, from January 17, 2017 through February 28, 2017. This rate detail can be found in this Resolution agenda dated 7/17/2012, here in this Resolution. Payment detail doesn’t seem to be noted in Reuben or Michael’s Resolutions.

Salary and negotiated contract rates are usually in their Resolutions. But when they aren’t, why aren’t they? Sometimes the attorney forgets to include details. For example, when Gina was hired, her name was left out of her contract/Resolution. An oversight that was acknowledged and fixed in the 7/6/2020 City Council Meeting.

Next questions:

What are the names of Beacon’s female police officers?

What are the names of Beacon’s Black or mixed race officers, or officers who are Hispanic or have origins from South America?

The answer to these questions were: “Please submit a FOIL.”

The next question will be:

“What is Beacon’s Police Chief salary as of 8/17/2020, which is when the new acting Police Chief Frost was appointed. The new Acting Police Chief is paid a portion of that salary. While the proposed 2020 budget had it as $147,733. Time will tell what the answer is when confirmation is requested. FOIL? Or easy email response.

How To Submit A FOIL/FOIA

You visit this website: https://www.justfoia.com/

UPDATE 3/7/2022: You could download this PDF, fill it out, and give it to the City Clerk at City Hall.

As of the writing of this article, Anthony sent over a link to a new place on the City’s website where you can find it as well: UPDATE: 3/7/2022: the new link is: https://beaconny.justfoia.com/publicportal/home/newrequest

There are directions on the page at JustFIOA.com. For police or fire related questions, you’ll choose the "PDFD" form for all requests having to do with the Police or Fire Departments. (** Standard motor vehicle accident reports may be obtained directly from BPD. Please contact 845-831-4111 for further info**). The "Clerk" form is to be used for all other departments.

Keep in mind: Start with the City first. Ask your questions. If you get a “Talk to the FOIL” type response, click those links above. Form your question as precisely as you can. Consider submitting several questions if your question is covering too much ground.