Riverhead budgets new positions, offers promotions; retirement incentive yields $819,000 net savings

Janette told the board the supervisor authorized contractual salary increases and several staffing changes. She outlined "six additional new full-time positions which includes one maintenance mechanic too in buildings and grounds, one automotive equipment operator and refues, one building inspector, one clerk in the purchasing department, one office assistant in the town clerk's office, and one new fire marshal."

Janette also described promotions and merit increases: "supervisor um is offering nine promotional raises and 76 merit raises." She reviewed the 2026 retirement incentive and its budget impact: "The net savings of the 2027 budget totaled 819,000," largely from reduced salaries and retirement contributions and partially offset by increased retiree health insurance costs. Board members asked about rehiring and how replacements were budgeted; Janette said replacement positions were included in the 2027 budget.