TOWN OF FISHKILL – In April, Dennis Zack, the chairman of the Dutchess County Independence Party, was appointed to the position of police commissioner for the Town of Fishkill, leading to claims of patronage by members of the community.
This past week, Supervisor Ozzy Albra attempted to expand the powers and authority for the commissioner but the town board denied the request.
Albra said that the board did not agree with expanding Zack’s authority but agreed that the commissioner is performing well. “Board members that did not vote for the appointment of the police commissioner admitted that he is doing a good job and the police chief agreed,” said Albra. “It has been agreed that the police commissioner would be treated with respect and if he is disrespected again, we will revisit the issue.” Albra did not elaborate on the claim that Zack has been disrespected. A PBA official said, “At no time was the commissioner ever disrespected by the union.”
Albra claims that the police officers’ union, the PBA, sent a letter to the board indicating that the police commissioner was “doing a good job and additional powers were not needed.” The supervisor declined to provide a copy of the communication.
