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Partly Cloudy Scarlata shows up at sanitation meeting
Michael Scarlata attended the Oceanside Sanitation District 7 meeting on Aug. 6 — after he was suspended with pay last month from his consulting job with the district.
“Any member of the public, whether resident or not, can come to an open meeting,” said sanitation attorney Jack Libert. “He’s not here in his official capacity. He’s here as any resident can come in and watch the meeting.”
Last month, the board of commissioners approved a resolution, by a 3-2 vote, to suspend Scarlata and review his contract, as well as the state comptroller’s audit that concluded that he had collected $391,000 in questionable retirement funds. The resolution ordered him to stop attending sanitation board meetings and interacting with board members or sanitation employees.
“I’m from the public,” Scarlata said during the break for executive session. “I live in Oceanside. I’m here as a taxpayer.”
While he sat in the public seats, he spoke to the commissioners several times, giving advice and recommendations. He asked if they knew how much it costs to dispose of a ton of garbage. He said the board was passing a measure despite not knowing this fact.
When he was asked if he knew the answer to his question, Scarlata said he could not answer because he was not allowed.
The board of commissioners is also searching for new legal counsel. Libert said he could not be the district’s attorney anymore. “The district has so much legal work,” he said. “And especially now, with the new board, it has become way too time-consuming for me. And it’s not something I can feel like I’m doing the job that I like to do.”
The commissioners passed a resolution that extended Libert’s contract with the district until they hire new counsel, which should take at least a month.
Earlier this year, a state comptroller’s audit revealed that two former sanitation supervisors, Scarlata and his son Charles, collected $800,000 in retirement benefits in addition to their salaries. Michael received $391,000 in deferred payments from 1998 to 2013, after retiring in 1998 with a $75,000 annual pension. His son received $421,353 in payments in 2012 and 2013, after he retired. Michael has remained a consultant to the sanitation board under a five-year contract, earning $62,000 a year as well as health benefits.
He disputed that number, saying that he makes $48,000 a year and does not receive health insurance, but would not provide proof. He has continued to receive a salary during the investigation.
The sanitation board oversees the garbage pickups at 13,000 homes and 950 businesses, and collected $8.8 million in taxes last year. The next board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 3, at 7 p.m., at the sanitation building, at 90 Mott St.
