Town Releases Salaries of Alleged Pantry Thieves

A total of $280,875 in annual salary has been removed from the Harrison Department of Public Works payroll — the only problem is this isn't exactly how the town envisioned saving money in the 2011 budget.

On Tuesday the town responded to a Freedom of Information request made by Patch on Feb. 22 seeking the positions and salaries of all six town employees allegedly involved with at the time of their arrests. Four full-time employees allegedly involved in the heist made an average of just more than $70,000 a year, while two others were part-time workers.

Official positions and salaries are as follows:

• William D’Imperio, 60, is listed as a general foreman for the department of public works making $79,190 per year.
• Joseph Arcara, 54, is listed as a maintenance mechanic for the department of public works making $72,345 per year.
• Jack Arcara, 48, is listed as a laborer for the town making $64,670 per year.
• Adam Straface, 26, is listed as a laborer for the town making $64,670 per year.
• Florence D’Imperio, 90, was as a part-time intermediate clerk making $18 per hour.
• Sherry Toplyn, 58, was a part-time intermediate clerk making $12.50 per hour.

Toplyn and Florence D'Imperio have resigned from their part-time positions, their official resignation is expected to go before the town board on Thursday night. The town has suspended Joseph Arcara, Jack Arcara, William D’Imperio and Straface without pay.

Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh said in an interview shortly after the six were suspended that the town will not replace any of the employees until the town and union agree on a new health contract, but said that services will not be affected.

"People will work harder," she said. "Nobody will notice anything in the town's operation."