Two Northport Police Sergeants Retiring

Sergeant Tom Schramm will be retiring in April and Sergeant John Schneider will be retiring next year, Police Commissioner and Trustee Tom Kehoe announced at Tuesday's . "Two wonderful men who have dedicated their life to the village personally and professionally and we'll miss them."

Retirement incentives were a part of with enhanced pension benefits funded entirely through give-backs by the police officers, according to Village Attorney James Matthews, who added that these retirements mark the beginning of benefits to the taxpayer intended with the terms of the new contracts and will have a "dramatic impact" on costs.

"When the new officers come in, they come in at lower pay," said Matthews, "with more steps spread out directly. They are also under the new state laws contributing more to their pension plans." Trustee Kehoe added that first year men will come in at a lower level than Suffolk County Police by $10,000-$12,000, and will take longer to hit the step to be on a par with the Suffolk County men.

The budgeted salary for each of the department's four sergeants is $167,348 according to the 2012-2013 village budget.

For more news from the Feb 7. Board of Trustees meeting, .