Shelby’s town financial records should be available to all board members and the public

Editor:

This is written in response to Mr. Rogenmoser’s letter. According to New York law, the Town Board has legal authority and oversight over the financial and legal records of the town. Under Town Law § 64, the Town Board is responsible for the general management and control of the town’s finances, and this includes overseeing financial records and decisions. The board as a whole, not just individual officials such as the town supervisor, must have access to financial records to carry out its oversight duties effectively.

Additionally, under Town Law §30, the town clerk has custody of al town records, books, and papers, and must maintain accurate records of all town proceedings, ensuring they are accessible to the Town Board and, through the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), to the public as well.

While the supervisor, as treasurer, handles the day-to-day custody of town funds, financial

records must be available to the entire board for transparency and proper governance. Any claim that the town bookkeeper, supervisor, or auditors are the only ones with access to legal or financial records is blatantly false and inaccurate.

I took state-sponsored training in person. Councilperson Limina took state-sponsored training in person. To my knowledge, Shelby’s other board members, including the supervisor, have not completed this same training.

During the state’s recent audit, it was implied by the supervisor and bookkeeper that they had taken training, but neither the state nor the board has been shown any proof. Whatever training they referenced has not been made clear. Had anyone, other than myself and Councilperson Limina, participated in state-sponsored training, they might be more aware of the laws and policies essential to running the town, rather than spreading misinformation and confusion among residents.

Ed Zelazny

Councilperson Shelby