TOWN OF FISHKILL – The Fishkill Town Supervisor’s Confidential Secretary, Mike Natrella, abruptly resigned on January 30, claiming that Town Supervisor Ozzy Albra, a Democrat, created an uncomfortable work environment and exhibited unstable behavior when not provided information to which he was not entitled.
Natrella, a 24-year-old, is the Chairman of the Town of Fishkill Democratic Committee* and also serves as the vice-chairman of the Dutchess County Young Democrats.
Natrella began working as Albra’s Confidential Secretary in September of 2022. He replaced Greg Totino who left Albra’s office to work for then-Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney.
Natrella said in his resignation letter that during his employment interviews with Albra, the applicant stressed that he had ethical lines that he refused to cross for the benefit of his employer. One such demand was that he would not be asked to discuss anything related to town or county Democratic committee business, including endorsements and elections, while in town hall. According to the resignation letter, Albra refused that demand and repeatedly questioned his subordinate on the inner workings of the town Democratic Committee.
Natrella’s letter said that Albra repeatedly became “abusive and demeaning” toward him when he repeatedly refused to discuss party politics with Albra. Natrella said he discussed Albra’s behavior with the town’s human resources department when he submitted his resignation. He declined to confirm that he was considering filing a complaint with the Dutchess County Ethics Board or PESH, New York State’s version of OSHA, which deals with workplace violence in state, county, and local governments.
Allegedly, Albra followed his employee into the parking lot on January 23rd to confront him about the town Democrats. Natrella told Mid-Hudson News that Albra demanded to know the names of people who have expressed a desire to challenge Albra for the Democratic endorsement. Natrella refused to confirm such people existed and said Albra once again became agitated. “He lost it,” Natrella said.
A similar incident occurred in the parking lot of town hall on January 30 when Albra again demanded to know the names of potential challengers. Feeling threatened by Albra’s behavior, he claims that he told Albra, “As I do not know how far you are willing to take these threats and acts of intimidation; I no longer feel comfortable working for you and reporting to town hall.”
Albra, meanwhile, told Mid-Hudson News that he wishes Natrella well in his future endeavors.
Greg Totino, Natrella’s predecessor, was rehired by Albra on February 1, 2023, a day after Natrella’s resignation.
*An official vote for the Chairman of the Town of Fishkill Democratic Committee has not been held. Recent communications between the Dutchess County Democratic Committee and the Dutchess County Board of Elections have recognized Mr. Natrella as the town chairperson.
