ALLENTOWN — Tensions in the Town of Alma boiled over Tuesday night with the resignation of the deputy supervisor, along with the revelation that a forensic audit of the highway department found the town exposed to the loss of approximately $44,574 from 2007-2018.
Deputy Town Supervisor David Shields began the meeting by standing up and addressing the standing-room only crowd of about 50 residents and town officials.
Shields is the town board’s longest-serving member, and he noted his family’s long history in Alma. Shields lives in the second oldest dwelling in Alma, built in 1865 by his great, great, great grandfather, who was the first Alma town supervisor.
“I’ve got some roots here and I care very deeply for this township,” he said. “I’m proud of my accomplishments. I’ve also reached a point where I wake up at 4 o’clock in the morning and wonder what new hell is going to happen tomorrow. Those of you who know me know I’ve played in the band, I’ve testified before the New York state Legislature, I’ve been in courts of law, I have looked down the barrel of a guy that wanted to kill me, and now here I stand in a town of Alma board meeting like this,” Shields said, his hands shaking.
“It’s for that reason I’m going to announce my resignation from this board effective immediately.”
Shields submitted his resignation letter to town clerk Michelle Staedt, stating his resignation includes his duties as town councilman, deputy town supervisor and highway department liaison officer.
“As you know I’m the longest serving current member of the board and this decision is not made lightly,” Shields said. “I have a deep regard for the residents of the town of Alma, and a great interest in the successes of the township. I deeply regret this decision has become necessary, but of late, I’m advised of decisions the same way you are — I get a phone call or I get an email after the fact. Decisions are made by a quorum of two in this building during the week. I’m sick of it, I’m tired of it, and I will not be sucked into the whirlpool that’s being created. However, I will be back in 2021. I expect to see you here and we’re going to have a mess to clean up.”
Shields then left the building to applause from a segment of the audience.
Later, town councilman Vincent Bock reported the results of a forensic review of highway department personnel timecard activity to assess the potential impact to payroll from 2007-2018. Town Supervisor Ronald Staedt said the review was recommended by the NYS Comptroller’s Office.
Bock said the report stated 212 instances where the clock in and clock out time was missing from the timecard, but the employee was given credit for working a full day. In some instances, a note was written at the top of the timecard indicating the employee worked a full day; 87 instances where there was no clock in or clock out but the employee was paid for a full day; 247 instances where the manual adjustment for no lunch was taken, and the employee was paid an additional half hour of time. At times, this resulted in overtime being paid to the employee; and other inconsistencies noted included employees getting credit for Good Friday or their birthday. “It is our understanding that employees may get credit for one each year, but not both,” the report noted.
In conclusion, it stated, “Based on our review of the timecards and the corresponding payroll reports, we calculate a potential exposure to the Town of Alma of approximately $44,574.”
“This is a middle class, hard working community,” Bock said. “Most people in this community work two jobs just to pay the taxes. ... These people deserve better than that. It’s saddening. I’ve lost sleep over it. I’m sure most of the people on this board have. I had no idea. This number is staggering. Staggering.”
Several community members asked for examples of why employees would work through their lunch.
“That’s not for me to figure out. I’m just reading you the summary report,” Bock said, noting the summary report would be available upon a FOIL request. He said he did not believe the full report could be made available.
A brief discussion of the town’s payroll process ensued, but Staedt said the town couldn’t speak any further because three grievances are pending. Highway Superintendent Dan Ford also noted the pending grievances in his monthly report to the board.
In one other major item, the board approved a resolution setting down official policies and procedures for public participation addressing the board.
For example, anyone wishing to speak before the board must submit a written request to the town supervisor one week prior to the board meeting to be placed on the agenda. Written requests received by the superintendent before the close of the business day of the board meeting may also be heard. The supervisor retains the right to approve or deny any request unless it comes from a member of the town board.
Speakers are limited to three minutes per person. Time cannot allowed be given to other speakers. Citizens addressing the board must observe proper decorum. If the speaker violates the rules and refuses to step down, the supervisor may ask for the individual to be removed from the meeting room and charged with disorderly conduct per the penal law.
The general consensus in the room indicated recent board meetings have gotten out of hand, although everyone was not in favor of the new policy.
“This resolution sounds like it’s very much trying to quiet our remarks,” said one community member. “Things do need to calm down at meetings. People need to be more polite about things. The state of this country is not polite about anything. It’s trickling down to this little community, and it shouldn’t be happening. We’re all neighbors, we should all be friends as well. Half of us are family.”
Wellsville Town Supervisor Shad Alsworth, who grew up a stone’s throw from the Alma town hall, addressed the crowd.
Several community members stated the board could also do a better job of observing proper decorum. Councilwoman Karen Linza concurred.
“This isn’t to shut people down, this is to make all of us be respectful. It applies to both sides on the respect issue,” Linza said. “It’s not being directed at the people who want to talk, it’s also the board members. That’s the only way we are going to get anywhere in this town, is to be respectful of each other and work together. Sadly, it hasn’t been that way in a while.”
