Fate of Old Brookville cops unclear

Just weeks before their funding pact lapses, six North Shore villages haven't agreed on how to share joint police department costs and decision-making.

The stalemate -- spurred by the sudden departure of the highest contributor into Old Brookville police -- threatens the future of a 62-year-old force that had previously operated with little public controversy.

The Old Brookville department has provided service to Old Brookville, Brookville, Upper Brookville, Muttontown, Matinecock, Mill Neck and Cove Neck, with each village paying a percentage of the department's $12-million annual budget.

But last month, Muttontown broke away to form its own force, leaving a projected $3.1 million gap in police revenue.

Upper Brookville, which already contributes $1.8 million, will meet Thursday amid worries about having to fill that gap. The current contract expires May 31.

The village has balked at paying more now, and predicts escalating benefits costs further eating into its budget later.

"We haven't heard from the other villages," Upper Brookville Mayor Terry Thielen said this week of her proposal to pay only the village's previously estimated $1.8-million share next year while continuing long-term restructuring talks. The village has not ruled out withdrawing from the Old Brookville department and contracting with Nassau County police.

Just by removing Muttontown from the consortium, Old Brookville police revenue would drop 26 percent. Police union leaders have said 13 of their 40 officers would be cut as a result. If Upper Brookville chooses to leave, the future of the department becomes further clouded.

"We still don't know much about what's going on," said Det. Chris Sweeney, Old Brookville Policemen's Benevolent Association president. "Normally, it (a new agreement) would be done by now."

Muttontown and Upper Brookville are the only two villages to publicly express interest in restructuring what they paid into the department or leaving it. Representatives of the other villages did not comment.

Muttontown Mayor Julianne Beckerman said the other villages had not shown any interest in talking about the problem. Although some residents protested, and the Old Brookville police union has threatened a lawsuit, the village has already purchased cars and radios for its own department.

"There was no 'do-nothing' option," Beckerman said. "That would be irresponsible."

She had objected to Muttontown paying more than a quarter of department costs, as set by Nassau County assessment values, yet having just a one-seventh say in operating decisions. Like Upper Brookville, Muttontown had proposed keeping the status quo for a year while discussing future equity issues.

Thielen said it's unlikely a decision will be made at Thursday's meeting, but added that residents would get more clarity.

"I hope that the questions will be answered to everyone's satisfaction," she said.