Council approves new police contract 5-0

Town Council · Meeting of February 10, 2026

EAST HAMPTON — The East Hampton Town Council voted 5-0 to approve a new three-year contract with the police union after tabling it in January for public review. Town Manager David Cox said the deal, running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, lowers retirement eligibility to 20 years for all officers, adds a 1 percent cost-of-living adjustment at age 62 and raises wages 3 percent annually. Pension contributions for officers hired before 2017 rise from 8 percent to 10 percent, and health insurance premium shares climb to 15 percent by the contract's third year.

Separately, Cox told the council the Department of Public Works has already spent over $123,000 against a $65,000 overtime budget this winter, "$58,000 over budget," after responding to 26 adverse weather events since November, more than the typical seasonal average of 24. Public Works Director Matt Walsh said a statewide salt shortage is forcing crews to use a salt-sand mix that complicates cleanup. The council also approved $6,688.46 in tax refunds and three board appointments, all by 5-0 votes.

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Source: the Town Council meeting of February 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.

The Full Article

EAST HAMPTON — February 10, 2026 — The East Hampton Town Council voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve a new three-year contract with the East Hampton Police Union, Local #2407, covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, after tabling the agreement at its prior meeting to give residents time to review the changes.

Chairman Dean Markham presided over the meeting, which also included a lengthy update on snow and ice removal costs that have pushed the Department of Public Works nearly $58,000 over its overtime budget this winter. Council Members Tim Feegel and Ted Hintz, Jr. were absent; Vice Chairman Jack Solomon and Council Members Richard Knotek, Joelyn Leon and Karen Wanat voted alongside Markham on every item.

The Full Story

Town Manager David Cox walked the council through the police union contract for a second time, reminding members the vote had been postponed from the January 27 meeting specifically so the public could weigh in. No residents submitted comments in the interim, Cox said. The contract changes the final average earnings calculation used for pensions from 60 consecutive months to 48, with an allowance to substitute months affected by workers' compensation pay. It also lowers retirement eligibility to 20 years of service for all officers, standardizing a benefit that previously varied between 20 and 25 years depending on hire date, and adds a 1 percent annual cost-of-living adjustment beginning at age 62. Pension contributions for officers hired before 2017 rise from 8 percent to 10 percent of earnings, matching more recent hires, and health insurance premium shares climb to 15 percent in the agreement's third year. Wages increase 3 percent annually starting July 1, 2026, and the contract eliminates premium pay for officers serving as Officer in Charge, shifting that responsibility to the most senior officer on duty by practice instead.

"Motion made and seconded to approve the labor contract with the police union," the chair said before the council voted without further discussion. Cox told members a separate amendment to the town's retirement plan reflecting the pension changes will come back to the council "this last meeting of this month or certainly the first meeting of March."

Cox also briefed the council on winter operations after members asked for an update. A storm that dropped 14 to 20 inches of snow required roughly 36 hours of continuous response from Public Works crews and cost about $25,000 in overtime for that event alone. The department has responded to 26 adverse weather events since November, already exceeding its typical seasonal average of 24, Cox said. Against a $65,000 overtime budget, the department had spent more than $123,000 as of the most recent payroll.

"That's $58,000 over budget," Cox said.

Public Works Director Matt Walsh, participating by video, told the council a statewide salt shortage has forced crews to rely more on a salt-sand mix, which complicates cleanup and can affect water quality near the lake. He said one of the department's two trackless sidewalk machines, an older unit with a plow blade, broke down this week and was sidelined near the library because it cannot push snow once banks reach two and a half feet.

"What happens when you have a snowstorm and you can't go out and pre-treat the road with salt is that the snow and ice actually sticks to the pavement," Walsh said.

Vice Chairman Solomon reported the America 250 Committee is organizing a calendar of local events and is working to secure East Hampton's participation in a July 4 parade in Middletown involving other towns in the region. Council Member Wanat said the Plan of Conservation and Development survey remains open through roughly the end of March, with focus sessions on the village center and on water and sewer infrastructure scheduled for February 18 and 19 in the council chambers. Council Member Knotek reported that seven firms toured the town's firehouse sites on February 2 as part of a request for qualifications process, with proposals due February 13.

The council also voted 5-0 to appoint Matthew Vitiello to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board through December 31, 2028, Christopher Anderson as an alternate on the Brownfields Redevelopment Agency through June 30, 2029, and George Coshow to the Ethics Commission through April 30, 2028. Members approved $6,688.46 in tax refunds on a 5-0 vote before entering executive session to discuss the potential purchase of property, inviting Cox and Public Utilities Administrator Tony DeSimone into the session.

Why It Matters

The new police contract sets wages, pension terms and benefits for East Hampton's police force through mid-2029, with the town citing recruitment difficulty as the reason for sweetening retirement terms and wages. A follow-up pension plan amendment is expected before the council within weeks. Separately, the DPW's overtime overrun, now nearly $58,000 above a $65,000 budget with two months of winter still ahead, could affect funds the town normally uses for spring road paving and crack sealing, according to Cox.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Adoption of the agenda Tally: For: 5, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 5 - Vote: Approval of Special Meeting minutes of January 27, 2026 Tally: For: 5, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 5 - Vote: Approval of Regular Meeting minutes of January 27, 2026 Tally: For: 5, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 5 - Vote: Approval of Police Union Contract (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2029) Tally: For: 5, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 5 - Vote: Appointments to Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, Brownfields Redevelopment Agency and Ethics Commission Tally: For: 5, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 5 - Vote: Tax refunds totaling $6,688.46 Tally: For: 5, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 5 - Vote: Enter executive session on potential purchase of property Tally: For: 5, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 5

Source

Town of East Hampton Connecticut: Town Council meeting, February 10, 2026