Supervisor Ciferri takes his seat on the Town Board

WASHINGTON — Newly elected town Supervisor Gary Ciferri took the Town Board through its first meeting of the new year on Tuesday, Jan 3. At the annual organizational meeting, Town Attorney John Gifford administered the oath of office to all newly elected officials, including town Supervisor Gary Ciferri and Councilman Albert DeBonis. Gifford also swore in those returning to office, including Councilmen Robert Audia and Karen Mosca, Town Clerk Mary Alex and Highway Superintendent James Brownell.Ciferri appointed Councilman Stephen Turletes as deputy supervisor for a two-year term. Alex was appointed registrar of vital statistics for a four-year term. Alex recommended that Irene Wing be appointed as deputy town clerk, deputy tax collector and deputy registrar in charge of vital statistics, also for the full four-year term. Edward Wheeler was appointed as deputy highway superintendent for four years, following a recommendation from Brownell. The board established the full-time position of bookkeeper and gave the position to Millbrook Mayor Laura Hurley. The full-time position of justice court clerk was established and Dana Lopergalo was appointed to the job.The board established that its regular meeting time will be on the second Thursday of each month beginning at 7 p.m.The Bank of Millbrook was appointed as the official depository of town funds. New York state requires that Audia advise the board and that he serve on the bank’s board of directors, which he did. Mosca also advised the board that her husband is an officer for the Bank of Millbrook.Van DeWater and Van DeWater was appointed as the law firm to represent the town.The board established rates of compensation for all officials and employees as stated in the 2012 budget. (To see town officials’ salaries and wages, turn to Page A1.) Employees who do not receive a salary are to be paid time and a half for any time spent beyond 40 hours per week. The board authorized Ciferri to invest town funds; it also authorized the supervisor make investments as approved by the Town Board.The official rate of mileage for reimbursement to employees and elected officials for using their personal vehicles for town matters was set at 44 cents per mile. A procurement policy was established to authorize the highway superintendent to spend up to $3,500 to purchase highway materials and equipment without prior approval. However, if the amount is between $3,501 to $5,000 it must have prior approval; if the amount is between $5,001 and $10,000 there must be approval and quotes from at least two vendors supplying the material or service. The board also authorized town officials to attend the New York State Association of Towns meetings and training programs if they wish to do so.The official newspapers for the town are: The Poughkeepsie Journal, The Millerton News and The Millbrook Independent; the choice will be made depending on publication dates. The board authorized Ciferri to allow an independent auditor from D’Achille and Associates to prepare the 2011 annual financial disclosure that the town must file with the office of the state comptroller by March 31, 2012, and complete an audit of the justice court as required by Office of the State Comptroller.David Greenwood was appointed town historian and Clove Excavators was appointed as the primary rental company for highway equipment for the Highway Department. Ciferri also appointed board members as liaisons to specific town committees and boards. Turlettes was appointed to Recreation and Finance committees; Mosca was appointed to the Comprehensive Plan Committee; Audia was appointed to Building and Grounds as well as Highway and Roads committees; Debonis was appointed to Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals as well as the Joint Emergency Plan Committee.The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan 12, at Town Hall, at 7 p.m.