Suffolk appointees' health payments put off

The Suffolk Legislature approved an emergency resolution last week that postpones to New Year's the date for newly hired county patronage appointees to begin paying a 15 percent share of health insurance costs.

Backers said the earlier Nov. 1 effective date for civil service exempt appointees differed from the Jan. 1 date in the agreement with county unions. Comptroller Joseph Sawicki's office said as of last week, only three appointees will benefit. They are: Joseph Hagelmann, former Islip Democratic chairman, and Patricia Montanino, an Islip Republican, who started as assistant elections clerks at the Suffolk Board of Elections making $43,926; and Jason Correa, a $41,000-a-year GOP legislative aide. County Executive Steve Bellone has begun voluntarily paying a share of his health premium.-- Rick Brand