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Council authorizes memorandum of agreement for deputy police chief; appointment to be made by chief
Summary
The council approved an agreement that sets terms for the deputy chief of police position and acknowledged the city’s chief will formally make the appointment; council discussion clarified salary and overtime treatment are governed by the existing collective bargaining agreement.
The Amsterdam Common Council on Jan. 7 approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Superior Officers Association that establishes terms for the title of deputy chief of police.
Mayor Sanquanti told the council the MOA is intended to give Police Chief Spencer the ability to appoint Sal Meghna as deputy chief. Sanquanti said the city had selected Meghna and that the MOA provides a career path intended to retain him in city service.
Council members asked whether a separate resolution was required to appoint the deputy chief and how salary would be handled. Chief Spencer said future appointments would be made by the chief and that the deputy chief’s salary is set in the existing collective bargaining agreement between the city and the Superior Officers Association.
The council discussed overtime: officials noted Meghna’s prior total earnings were influenced by substantial overtime hours and that, under the position’s new rules, he will work overtime only when approved by Chief Spencer. One presenter said, “it's actually less money because he spent a lot of overtime hours,” explaining the base salary in the contract is lower than last year’s total compensation when overtime is included.
The resolution (sponsored by Mayor Sanquanti) was read into the record and passed by roll call. The council’s action authorizes the mayor to execute the MOA immediately upon passage.
The MOA and the existing collective bargaining agreement define pay and conditions; council members requested the MOA be circulated to members prior to final signature.
