A resolution has been filed to name former Suffolk Legis. James Gaughran (D-Huntington) to the five-member Suffolk Water Authority board.
But the question for Gaughran is: Will he back a a still-pending proposed 27 percent raise for the board, increasing salaries from $18,500 to $23,000 a year? This would also raise chairman Michael LoGrande’s pay from $32,000 to $40,000, a 25 percent hike.
The proposed raises caused a stir when another former Legislator on the board, Jane Devine, balked at taking anything but a cost of living raise.
The board asked for the raises after the authorty cut health benefits, cars and credit cars for board members. But board members never said they would seek a raise when they made the cuts. One lawmaker estimated the board would make $600 an hour if they got the raise.
Gaughran did not return calls for comment.
Rick Brand