2008-1582008-158
Resolution Authorizing Payment of Utility Bills Prior to Audit Pursuant to Town Law
§118(2)
At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County,
New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on May 12 lb
2008.
The meeting was called to order by Christopher Colsey, Supervisor, and upon roll being
called, the following were present:
PRESENT: Supervisor
Councilmembers
ABSENT:
Christopher J. Colsey
William H. Beale
Vincent F. Bettina
Maureen McCarthy
Joseph P. Paoloni
The following Resolution was introduced by Councilwoman McCarthy and seconded by
Councilman Bettina.
WHEREAS, the Town of Wappinger regularly incurs charges for postage, freight,
express, electric, gas, water, sewer, fuel oil and telephone services and other public utility
charges (hereinafter "Utility Claims"); and
WHEREAS, Utility Claims are incurred in the regular course of business and are
necessary to the operation of the Town; and
WHEREAS, Utility Claims must be paid in a prompt manner to avoid disruption of these
needed services and to receive discounts for prompt payment; and
WHEREAS, New York Town Law § 118(2) permits the Town Board to authorize the
payment of Utility Claims in advance of the audit of such claim; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that it is in the best interest of the citizens
of the Town of Wappinger to authorize the payment of Utility Charges in advance of the audit of
such claim.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. The recitations above set forth are incorporated in this Resolution as if fully set
forth and adopted herein.
2. The department head or Town officer that incurs a claim for electric, gas, water,
sewer, fuel oil, telephone services, postage, freight, express charges or other public utility charge
("Utility Claim") shall cause a voucher to be created for such claim. The department head shall
promptly submit such Utility Claim to the Supervisor for payment.
3. Pursuant to the authority granted by New York Town Law § 118(2), the Town
Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to review any voucher for a Utility Claim in advance of
the audit required by Town Law § 119(1).
4. The Supervisor may require the department head, the Town officer incurring a
Utility Claim, or the vendor to supply any additional information necessary to determine the
validity and necessity of such charge reflected in the voucher.
5. Pursuant to the authority granted by New York Town Law § 118(2), the Town
Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to pay any Utility Claim reflected on a properly
completed voucher prior to the audit of such claim required by Town Law § 119, provided that
the claim is determined to be valid by the Supervisor.
6. In the event that there is no Comptroller for the Town, vouchers for all Utility
Claims paid prior to audit shall be presented at the next regular meeting of the Town Board for
audit pursuant to the provisions Town Law § 119(1).
7. The Supervisor may, in his or her sole discretion, decline to pay a Utility Claim in
advance of an audit and require that such claim be audited in the regular manner required by
Town Law § 119(1).
8. The Town Officer incurring or approving a Utility Charge that is paid in
accordance with this resolution shall be jointly and severally liable for any amount disallowed by
the Town Board as required by Town Law § 118(2).
9. The Supervisor is hereby authorized to promulgate any written rules or
procedures necessary to implement this Resolution.
10. This resolution shall be effective during such time that the position of Comptroller
is vacant. When the position of Comptroller is occupied, vouchers for Utility Charges shall be
audited in the manner proscribed by Town Law § 119(2).
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
CHRISTOPHER COLSEY, SUPERVISOR
Voting:
AYE
WILLIAM H. BEALE, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
VINCENT F. BETTINA, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
MAUREEN McCARTHY, COUNCILWOMAN
Voting:
AYE
JOSEPH P. PAOLONI, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
5/12/2008
The Resolution is hereby duly declared adopted.
IV
HN C. MA TERSON, TOWN CLERK