Says Incentive Will Save Taxpayers up to 3%
Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin announced in a two-minute, pre-recorded video message that the Town of Riverhead’s recently released 2025 Annual Financial Report showed approximately $5 million in revenues and investment gains.
In keeping with his goal of providing tax savings for residents, Halpin recently proposed an Early Retirement Incentive program for eligible CSEA, PBA and SOA employees. According to the supervisor’s office, preliminary estimates show the plan could save taxpayers up to 3%, beginning in 2027.
“An early retirement incentive could help lower payroll costs, reduce future tax increases and honor long-term employees,” he said.
Halpin said the proposal could help the Town manage costs while maintaining services for residents, create opportunities for employee advancement and improve retention of town workers. Halpin said he is urging the Town Board and union leadership to work collaboratively to review the proposal.
The PBA and SOA presidents said in a joint statement, “We are in full support of anything that benefits our members.”
Unit 8758 Executive Board leadership added, “CSEA Unit 8758 is in support of a possible retirement incentive recently proposed by Supervisor Jerome Halpin. We look forward to discussing further options.”