Re-elect Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino

The Town of Oyster Bay is in better shape than it has been for many years, and there are a number of reasons. Under Supervisor Joseph Saladino, the town is no longer in financial trouble, and the budget for 2022 will keep town spending, which has increased every year, flat. Additionally, residents will not see a tax increase.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the town never stopped operating. For his ability to get the job done in good times and bad, we endorse Saladino for supervisor.

His challenger, Democrat Amanda Field, had many good ideas. Although she is Plainview’s water commissioner, she doesn’t have the type of experience needed to run a town as large as Oyster Bay, however.

Saladino was able to reduce the town’s workforce, gleaning $10 million in savings. But at the same time, other non-union employees were promoted, which the supervisor gave as justification for raises that were given. We agree with his decision to allow part-time sanitation workers to become full-time so they could benefit from health care coverage.

But his proposed budget includes roughly $93 million for salaries. We believe Saladino should do more to reduce money spent on salaries, perhaps lowering the salaries of some of the highest earners, instead of encouraging town workers to take an early retirement. But cutting $10 million is a good place to start.

Hicksville residents complain that their roads have not been paved. Saladino said 400 roads have been in 2021. His budget allocates $25 million a year for road restoration, which is badly needed. Even so, we encourage Saladino to have his road crews do more for Hicksville.
One of the biggest improvements in the town is Saladino’s creation of a fish hatchery for oysters and clams. In the past, the town donated 200,000 oyster and clam seeds annually, but with the hatchery, the number has been increased to 2 million. This will improve the water quality in Oyster Bay and repopulate the harbor with oysters and clams, which have decreased over the years. Saladino and his administration are also planning for the expansion of the North Shore shellfish hatchery to the South Shore, a plan that we support. And Saladino’s commitment to adopt a bay management plan is also a step in the right direction.

Perhaps Saladino’s biggest accomplishment is the upgrading of the town’s credit rating. He has received six bond-rating increases, including recognition by Moody’s Financial Services and Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings with an A3 and A+ rating, respectively. And in 2020, the town was removed from the stress monitoring list by the New York state comptroller’s office; in 2021, it remained off the list. A solid credit rating means lower rates when bonding, which will benefit taxpayers.

Several small businesses closed during the pandemic, leaving behind empty storefronts in the town. We credit Saladino with the recent surge in small businesses that are opening, and there are other businesses that will open after permits are processed.

The Town of Oyster Bay is experiencing a resurgence, which we credit in large part to the steady leadership of Joseph Saladino. Vote for him Nov. 2.