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Town board approves CSEA settlement adding four positions to union amid criticism over timing and legal fees
Summary
The Clifton Park Town Board approved a settlement with CSEA that adds four titles to the collective bargaining unit and sets incumbents’ 2026 salaries; the decision prompted sharp debate over whether the agreement was signed before formal board approval and about roughly $30,000 in outside legal fees.
The Clifton Park Town Board voted to adopt a settlement with the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) that adds four full-time titles to the municipal bargaining unit and sets salary placements for incumbents for 2026.
Under the agreement read into the record, the positions added to the CSEA bargaining unit are fire marshal; golf course superintendent; zoning administrator/stormwater program coordinator; and collection systems manager. The settlement text adopted by the board says those titles “shall be administered under the CBA in the same manner as other bargaining unit titles” and that the agreement “supersedes the 2025 MOA” addressing related grievances and arbitration demands. The transcript records example salary placements for affected incumbents: the golf course superintendent at $66,046 and the collection systems manager at $131,380 for 2026, as provided in the agreement’s salary matrix.
Attorney Kevin Daley sought clarification on whether the settlement would allow management positions to join the union, saying, “It sounds to me like this is saying that management cannot be in the union. Can you explain the agreement?” Daley’s comment prompted a lengthy board exchange about which titles are classified as management or confidential under New York civil service law and which may lawfully be included in the bargaining unit.
Several board members and the deputy supervisor objected to the timing and process surrounding the settlement. One member said they first learned of a signed draft only when the agenda was distributed the prior Friday and questioned why the final settlement had been signed before a formal board vote. Multiple speakers cited the town’s reported payment of about $30,000 to outside counsel in the dispute and said the expense merited public explanation.
Supporters of the settlement said it resolves pending court and arbitration claims and that, once the resolution is adopted, the union would withdraw its grievance and the town would discontinue the verified petition. After debate the board called for a vote; roll call recorded three votes in favor and two opposed, and the motion to adopt the settlement carried.
During public privilege, several residents criticized the handling of the matter and urged scrutiny of the town attorney. One resident urged Kevin Daley’s resignation, and others said the apparent lack of notice undermined trust.
The board’s action authorizes the settlement as written and—according to the language read on the record—authorizes execution of any documents necessary to effect the discontinuance of the litigation and arbitration. The motion’s adoption resolves the specific dispute described in the verified petition, the grievance and arbitration demand but does not, in the text read aloud, change the town’s designation of other titles that remain identified as management/confidential.
Next steps: the settlement is effective on execution per the agreement language read at the meeting. The transcript shows the town will implement the stated salary matrix placements and the union will withdraw outstanding claims as part of the settlement process.
