The Village of Mineola Board of Trustees on Jan. 8 accepted multiple personnel actions across the building department and public works, approved a Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) payment to a Mineola volunteer firefighter and authorized job postings to fill Public Works vacancies.

Why it matters: The actions set staffing and payroll outcomes for municipal departments, ensure continuity of sanitation operations and recognize volunteer fire service. Several motions included lump-sum separation payouts for accumulated leave in accordance with the village's collective bargaining agreement.

The board accepted the resignation of Kelly Dorney, secretary to the Zoning Board of Appeals in the Building Department, effective Dec. 30, 2024, and approved a lump-sum separation payout for unused accumulated time per the collective bargaining agreement. The board also accepted the resignation of Donna Thompson, secretary of the Planning Board in the Building Department, effective Jan. 14, 2025, with a lump-sum separation payout per the same agreement. Motions to accept both resignations were moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

The board accepted the retirement resignation of Mark D. Adato, labor supervisor in the sanitation division of Public Works, after 37 years of service and authorized the benefit payout per the collective bargaining agreement. The board approved promoting the sanitation employee Barbino (transcript reference) to labor supervisor in sanitation, retroactive to Jan. 1 for Public Works duties, and approved posting two open laborer positions in the Department of Public Works (one highway division and one sanitation division) to fill vacancies created by retirements and internal movements.

The board also approved a LOSAP service award payment effective Jan. 1, 2025, to Mineola Fire Department volunteer David S. Kearney. The LOSAP motion was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

During the meeting, Building Department and code enforcement staff reported permit activity: 84 electrical, plumbing, commercial and residential permits were issued in December 2024. Staff reminded residents to obtain required permits before construction and to clear sidewalks and fire hydrants of snow during winter.

Votes at a glance: All personnel items and the LOSAP payment were carried by voice vote during the Jan. 8 meeting.
- Accept resignation and separation payout: Kelly Dorney, secretary to Zoning Board of Appeals, effective Dec. 30, 2024; approved.
- Accept resignation and separation payout: Donna Thompson, secretary to Planning Board, effective Jan. 14, 2025; approved.
- Accept retirement and authorize benefit payout: Mark D. Adato, labor supervisor, Sanitation Division, effective Jan. 1, 2025; approved.
- Promotion: Barbino to labor supervisor, Sanitation Division (details and effective date stated in meeting as retroactive to Jan. 1); approved.
- Postings authorized: one laborer, Highway Division; one laborer, Sanitation Division; approved.
- LOSAP service award payment: David S. Kearney (Mineola Fire Department volunteer), effective Jan. 1, 2025; approved.

Who said what: The motions and votes were conducted by trustees and confirmed by staff presenters during the public meeting. The LOSAP payment was presented by a speaker identified in the transcript as Chacon and approved by the board.

Next steps: The village will proceed with separation payouts, the promotion and job postings; the LOSAP payment will be processed per village policy and applicable payroll procedures.