Village of Monticello

VILLAGE OF MONTICELLO

DATE: November 29, 2012 TO: Heather Berg, Treasurer FROM: Carmen Rue, Trustee RE: Accounting procedures and supervision CC: Mayor, Trustees, Clerk

On Monday the 19th I came to you and I asked you how can there be so little money in the Building Department for the secretary. On Wednesday the 21st, Gordon and James went to your office. You told the Mayor and James that it was the same amount of money that you to told me. You told the Mayor that the board moved the money. I never remember moving money from that line, I replied.

During the weekend, I looked at the budget and see that we put $20,000 for the building department secretary, part-time. On Monday the 26th, I went upstairs and talked you and said it was impossible that we only had that money for a secretary. There had to be more money.

A few minutes later, TC Hutchins showed up in your office. You started to speak very disrespectfully to me, screaming and shouting, like TC is the only board member that you are accountable to, saying that I want to give more money to everyone. That is not true. I was against giving more money to employees because it was not budgeted, and it would be illegal to try and pass out money that is not budgeted. You commented that you “moved money” from the Building Department to pay John LiGreci. I responded that the Manager has his own line in the budget and reminded you that you cannot move money between departments and transfer from account to another account in the Bank without coming to the board

You have to remember that the Mayor is your immediate supervisor, and you work for the full board. You started to criticize employees, criticizing Stacey, James, and others. To the best of my recollection, we never appointed you as an office manager.

As elected officials, we have an obligation to the taxpayers to manage their money. The more true information you give to us, the better it allows us to keep a balance and not over-spend.

On another occasion, before Thanksgiving, I asked you where is the $100,000 savings account. You said and no one should know about the $100,000 that is in it, and asked me how I found out. On Monday the 26th, I reminded you that the money you mentioned was in savings amounted to a "slush fund" and, as such, is illegal.

I want to remind you that you cannot keep anything of this nature secret from the board. You work for us and you are accountable to the Mayor and Trustees, and are required to be completely honest with us about the numbers and information you provide.

I also want to remind you that the $20,000 extra from the sewer grant, you were being paid because you were part-time. The Mayor said would be discontinued when you became full-time, which you now are. Also the Mayor told George Popp of the USDA Sewer Project that the money should be returned to grants

Also, you agreed with the Mayor, and we put that trust that you would clock your time by scanning your hand when you arrive and leave, for accountability. I expect that you have been following this procedure consistently, and that the clock will reflect this.

Phone: (845) 794-6130 2 Pleasant street MONTICELLO, New york 12701 Villageofmonticello.com