MIDDLETOWN – Embattled Orange County Legislator Joel Sierra has retired as a City of Middletown firefighter after serving more than a decade.
Mid-Hudson News obtained Sierra’s retirement papers via a Freedom of Information Law request. He ends his 13-year career with the department as a lieutenant.
Sierra is also a county legislator, but has not attended a legislative meeting since March 30, 2022, but continues to collect his full salary and benefits. He maintains he has been unable to attend sessions since he sustained an injury as a Middletown fireman. Sierra’s four-year term ends on December 31st, 2025.
“I look forward to returning to the legislature before year’s end if not sooner, contingent upon my improving medical condition,” said Sierra in a rare interview. “It should be noted that the work of a legislator is not the same physically as that of a professional firefighter. I feel I have served the people of the City of Middletown in both capacities to the best of my ability. Unfortunately, due to an on-the-job accident, I am no longer able to serve in my position as a lieutenant firefighter.”
Sierra said that when he returns to the legislature he plans on representing Middletown “for as long as I can fulfill my duties.”
He added, “If at any time I feel my condition does not improve and I’m no longer able to serve I will resign. “However, I will not let anyone including other political officials with hidden agendas circumvent the vote of the people of this district. The people of the district shall be the judge of my character. It is their right to choose their elected official and that is what I am protecting.”
Sierra has not worked for the Middletown Fire Department since March 2022 due to an injury. He applied for a disability retirement through the City of Middletown that would have paid him 100 percent of his salary, but an arbitrator ruled against Sierra in favor of the City. His appeal in the matter was also denied. Sierra, who made about $90,000 annually as a firefighter, then applied for 50 percent disability pay from the state and was granted the disability payments, sources confirmed.
“I wish (Joel) well,” Mayor Joe DeStefano said. “I think his actions as an elected official are irresponsible, but that is for the voters to decide. Joel is no longer employed by the city and I wish him good health. At this point, there is no legacy cost to the City of Middletown as I understand it.”
