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New problems from an old accountant
By Francesca Olsen
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
COPAKE — Tensions ran high in the Copake Town Hall Wednesday as town Supervisor Reggie Crowley explained new setbacks the town faces in the heat of a budget deficit totaling almost $200,000.
The first item of business during Copake’s budget workshop was an announcement from Crowley that the town’s previous accountant Brian Fitzgerald had not yet handed over the town’s records to town clerk Vana Hotaling.
New Copake accountant Michael Torchia was supposed to have the recent numbers from Fitzgerald on Monday in preparation for Wednesday’s workshop. “I asked him to make arrangements to turn our records over to our new accountant,” Crowley said.
Crowley reported that Fitzgerald contacted Hotaling and said he’d bring the records on Monday. “Vana waited and he did not show up,” Crowley said. Hotaling called Fitzgerald and made arrangements for Tuesday; Fitzgerald did not come to the Town Hall on Tuesday, either, but called and left a message at the Town Hall detailing his office hours.
Fitzgerald has presented the Town Board with a bill for extra work done. Crowley told the crowd at the budget workshop that the Town Board would not be signing the bill. “We explained that we were not happy with the work,” he said.
Crowley recommended that Hotaling call Fitzgerald again Monday to see if he would meet her halfway between his office and the Copake Town Hall to hand off the records. “If not, then we turn it over to the town attorney,” he said. “The records belong to us. He has no right to withhold them.”
The board officially fired Fitzgerald for mishandling the town’s funds, acting disrespectfully at public meetings to board members, and sending internal town business e-mails to the Register-Star.
Without numbers to crunch, the discussion turned to a suggestion from Crowley for a “Negative Fund Balance Elimination Tax” on each of the 2931 taxable parcels in Copake — a one-time payment of about $68. Crowley had a conversation earlier that day with the comptroller from the town of Colonie, who had “pretty much the same situation” as Copake is experiencing now.
“This needs to be digested,” said councilman Robert Sacks. “It sounds like a very interesting plan. I think we agree that come 2010 we need an additional $200,000 somewhere. I think we should consider cutting what we can now.”
Torchia recommended that the board start now if they want to enact the one-time tax in next year’s budget. “It’s probably going to be a month and a half to two month process,” he said. The tax can be enacted by a Town Board without other legislative approval.
Residents were quick to mention that many people in Copake might not be able to pay $68, even as a one-time payment, due to the recession.
“This is the simple way out of our problem,” said Sacks, adding that severe budget cuts would still have to be made and seriously focused on by the board and all of Copake’s department heads.
Some audience members said they would prefer to vote on the tax via referendum; Crowley said about 300 signatures on a petition would be needed for the tax to go to a vote.
Sacks refused to vote on the tax at the workshop. “You can’t just isolate this. This is a long-term program. We need to start cutting now.”
“I think it’s being thrown back onto the people. We should be the ones biting the bullets,” said Councilwoman Linda Gabaccia.
The board did not come to a conclusion on the tax Wednesday night. “I apologize for dropping this on you,” Crowley told the board.
The board also voted to reinstate Copake’s police force until Labor Day. “This is our heaviest time of the season,” said Police Commissioner Jeff Nayer, who wrote a letter to the board regarding cuts to the town’s police force. “I need an answer so I know what to tell my officers.”
The board rescinded on immediately cutting four police shifts. The Copake police will carry on as they have until Labor Day; Torchia told the board that Copake has enough money to last into September or even mid-October.
“The longer we go on with business as usual, the more money we’re spending,” said Gabaccia, who voted no on the resolution.
Right now, Copake’s approximate deficit is $182,000; Torchia said that once he got the records from Fitzgerald, it would only take him a few days to put together a concrete presentation on the budget.
Ten to 20 percent in cuts for every department in Copake is still expected, including the highway department. “Everybody’s going to have to take a hit somewhere here,” said Tompkins.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
The first item of business during Copake’s budget workshop was an announcement from Crowley that the town’s previous accountant Brian Fitzgerald had not yet handed over the town’s records to town clerk Vana Hotaling.
New Copake accountant Michael Torchia was supposed to have the recent numbers from Fitzgerald on Monday in preparation for Wednesday’s workshop. “I asked him to make arrangements to turn our records over to our new accountant,” Crowley said.
Crowley reported that Fitzgerald contacted Hotaling and said he’d bring the records on Monday. “Vana waited and he did not show up,” Crowley said. Hotaling called Fitzgerald and made arrangements for Tuesday; Fitzgerald did not come to the Town Hall on Tuesday, either, but called and left a message at the Town Hall detailing his office hours.
Fitzgerald has presented the Town Board with a bill for extra work done. Crowley told the crowd at the budget workshop that the Town Board would not be signing the bill. “We explained that we were not happy with the work,” he said.
Crowley recommended that Hotaling call Fitzgerald again Monday to see if he would meet her halfway between his office and the Copake Town Hall to hand off the records. “If not, then we turn it over to the town attorney,” he said. “The records belong to us. He has no right to withhold them.”
The board officially fired Fitzgerald for mishandling the town’s funds, acting disrespectfully at public meetings to board members, and sending internal town business e-mails to the Register-Star.
Without numbers to crunch, the discussion turned to a suggestion from Crowley for a “Negative Fund Balance Elimination Tax” on each of the 2931 taxable parcels in Copake — a one-time payment of about $68. Crowley had a conversation earlier that day with the comptroller from the town of Colonie, who had “pretty much the same situation” as Copake is experiencing now.
“This needs to be digested,” said councilman Robert Sacks. “It sounds like a very interesting plan. I think we agree that come 2010 we need an additional $200,000 somewhere. I think we should consider cutting what we can now.”
Torchia recommended that the board start now if they want to enact the one-time tax in next year’s budget. “It’s probably going to be a month and a half to two month process,” he said. The tax can be enacted by a Town Board without other legislative approval.
Residents were quick to mention that many people in Copake might not be able to pay $68, even as a one-time payment, due to the recession.
“This is the simple way out of our problem,” said Sacks, adding that severe budget cuts would still have to be made and seriously focused on by the board and all of Copake’s department heads.
Some audience members said they would prefer to vote on the tax via referendum; Crowley said about 300 signatures on a petition would be needed for the tax to go to a vote.
Sacks refused to vote on the tax at the workshop. “You can’t just isolate this. This is a long-term program. We need to start cutting now.”
“I think it’s being thrown back onto the people. We should be the ones biting the bullets,” said Councilwoman Linda Gabaccia.
The board did not come to a conclusion on the tax Wednesday night. “I apologize for dropping this on you,” Crowley told the board.
The board also voted to reinstate Copake’s police force until Labor Day. “This is our heaviest time of the season,” said Police Commissioner Jeff Nayer, who wrote a letter to the board regarding cuts to the town’s police force. “I need an answer so I know what to tell my officers.”
The board rescinded on immediately cutting four police shifts. The Copake police will carry on as they have until Labor Day; Torchia told the board that Copake has enough money to last into September or even mid-October.
“The longer we go on with business as usual, the more money we’re spending,” said Gabaccia, who voted no on the resolution.
Right now, Copake’s approximate deficit is $182,000; Torchia said that once he got the records from Fitzgerald, it would only take him a few days to put together a concrete presentation on the budget.
Ten to 20 percent in cuts for every department in Copake is still expected, including the highway department. “Everybody’s going to have to take a hit somewhere here,” said Tompkins.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.
stonepound wrote on Aug 7, 2009 12:14 AM:
" Every email is public information. I think Fitzgerald should scan in a copy of the books and put it online. It is after all public money.
Really every town should go thru some basic public audit. If 37,000 can go unnoticed in Stockport then anything can happen. "
Really every town should go thru some basic public audit. If 37,000 can go unnoticed in Stockport then anything can happen. "
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joe wrote on Aug 6, 2009 8:28 AM: