Smithtown Town Supervisor Patrick R. Vecchio talks to Newsday reporters...

Smithtown Town Supervisor Patrick R. Vecchio talks to Newsday reporters in Melville on April 5, 2013. Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa

As a resident of Smithtown for almost 40 years, I'm outraged that the town considered an increase in stipend from $5,000 to $35,000 a year for a councilman who also acts as deputy supervisor.

Not only was the amount of increase an outrage, but for the councilman to have cast the deciding vote on his own raise was ethically objectionable. Although the board later voted to rescind the raise, Supervisor Patrick Vecchio said he may include it in his 2015 budget ["Vote cancels Smithtown pol's raise," News, Sept. 24].

I give credit to the two council members who originally voted against the raise. Shame on those who voted for the increase. It must be great to spend taxpayers' money so cavalierly.

Howard Ende, Hauppauge
 

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