FISHKILL – The town board on Wednesday unanimously approved a settlement agreement for a lawsuit filed by the town’s former HR Director, Suzanne Puma. The town of Fishkill, through its insurance carrier, will pay approximately $140,000 to Puma to close the case.
Puma, a town resident, served as HR director for the town from May 26, 2022, to January 2, 2025, when the board eliminated her position from the budget. Puma sued the town and each of the board members: Ozzy Albra, John Forman, Greg Totino, Brian Wrye, and Jackie Bardini, claiming her position was not eliminated but rather diverted to another title, against civil service rules.
Albra is pleased with the settlement, saying he was “happy the case had been settled.” Regarding the expense to the taxpayers to settle, Albra said “The town, by eliminating the position, is already saving money.”
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