Fight over Rensselaer worker’s salary cut to $100 to continue into next week

The ongoing fight over reducing a Rensselaer city worker’s salary to $100 will continue into next week.

The Rensselaer Common Council voted earlier this month to reduce the salary of Jason Schofield, who is a clerk in the building department. Schofield is awaiting sentencing a ballot fraud conviction and is testifying in Rensselaer County ballot fraud trial against three other defendants.

Mayor Michael Stammel vetoed that resolution. The council has yet to override the veto.

The council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Sept. 18. However, council

President John DeFrancesco said one of the council members is out of town and they don’t have the votes at this time.

“We don’t have enough people. You need two-thirds to override the veto,” he said.

A special meeting will probably take place toward the end of next week, depending on council member’s schedules to call a special meeting. 

When asked about how someone’s salary could be cut to below minimum wage,

DeFrancesco said the council has to protect the interests of the taxpayers. He pointed out that employee, who he did not name, is testifying in a fraud trial.

“You’ve got somebody who was over testifying and saying they’re guilt of 10 counts of fraud with a computer. We’re putting that person in the building department with more names, and addresses and information that’s private,” he said.