BETHEL — A special meeting was held by the Bethel Town Board on Friday, November 8, to discuss the future of the Bethel Tax Collector's Office.

“Since the computer records are now available and based on some new information relating to the tax collector, I did not feel that we should wait until the next town board meeting on November 13 to address the two items. That's why I called this meeting,” said Bethel Town Supervisor Dan Sturm.

On the agenda was correspondence that was sent to the Cooper Arias, LLP, from the town board requesting them to perform an audit on specific transactions that were made by the Bethel Tax Collector's Office this year.

The other was to pass a resolution to obtain records from the tax collector's checking account that was used to collect taxes for the town.

Sturm read out loud the letter to a large audience at the Dr. Duggan Community Center.

In the letter, the board is asking Cooper Arias, LLP, to

look at two circumstances involving two Bethel residents who said they paid their taxes on time yet were still penalized.

In one instance, $1,000 was paid on January 26 in cash, and on January 28, the town was notified that the $1,000 went missing.

The tax collector's records show that $1,000 was later credited to the account, and according to the town, they have not been able to find where the money originated from.

Bethel Tax Collector Debra Gabriel told the Democrat in the past that she herself paid the $1,000 because she felt it was her responsibility as the tax collector. She also said she did not know how the money went missing.

The board also asked Cooper Arias, LLP, to look at another taxpayer's records for a $96.22 payment that was never applied to a parcel.

Since the payment was never applied, the taxpayer incurred charges despite showing proof to the board that he paid on time.

The letter states they have asked the tax collector what happened but felt the answers were insufficient.

Bethel Councilwoman

Dawn Ryder asked why there were so many details in the request and wondered if it would save taxpayers money if they just waited for the yearly audit.

Bethel Town Counsel Karen Mannino told Ryder that the full audit would not be done until next year, and the board voted in favor of this letter previously in order to move forward with an immediate review.

“These are areas where we have questions and [we] want them answered so we can have a nice, fresh slate next year. That's why we want the auditors to come now,” said Sturm.

Ryder said, “We know where the $1,000 came from. Debra told us she took it out of her pocket.”

Sturm answered, “I don't know anything until the auditors see it. I know what has been alleged, and I am more comfortable that an auditor does it.”

Once the audit is finished, it will be forwarded to the Office of the New York State Comptroller, according to Sturm.

Sturm believes the review should be completed before the end of the year.

The board voted on a resolution to gain access to the Bethel Tax Collector's checking account that was used for tax collection.

A previous resolution authorized the town to close the account after Gabriel retired, and the town moved all funds into the town's general fund account.

According to Mannino, they will need access to the records in order to conduct the audit.

Ryder asked if it was common practice for a town supervisor to have access to the records and whether it was a conflict of interest.

Mannino said she didn't see it as a conflict since there is no access to money; it was to see the records of the tax col- lector's checking account that was used for the tax collection.

Bethel Councilwoman Vicky Simpson said, “He is the supervisor of the town and is the obvious choice.”

Sturm said he never had access to the account, and he had asked Gabriel to close the account after her last day of work, but according to Sturm, she refused to do so.

The board voted 4 to 1 in favor of the resolution. Rydervoted no while Bernie Cohen, Sturm, Simpson, and Lilian Hendrickson voted yes.

Sturm said, “Without the records, we can't investigate, so by voting no, you are saying we don't want to look at anything.”

Sturm said because of so many complaints and irregularities that have been brought before the board, they had a “duty to act.”

BOARD COMMENTS

Councilwoman Hendrickson said, “All I can say is that I am very sorry that this is happening, but I feel we need this audit to really know what's going on.”

Councilwoman Simpson added, “There were other complaints this year. There were questions of our tax collector that we asked and never got answers to. We need answers and this is one way to get [them.]"

Councilman Cohen said, “When you are dealing with

taxpayer money, you have to be careful how you do it and when you do it."

Ryder said, I agree we have to fix all this up and fix the books, and I hope it's positive moving forward.”

PUBLIC COMMENT

Judith Maidenbaum, owner of the Fat Lady Cafe in Kauneonga Lake, asked how much this audit was costing.

Sturm said the estimate of the audit could cost a few thousand dollars

“Is a few thousand worth this minuscule amount?” asked Maidenbaum.

Sturm said these issues have persisted before and believes it is justified.

“Ask these taxpayers who had to pay extra for payments not applied correctly, and those taxpayers are the ones I am standing up for. It is not a worthless exercise,” said Sturm.

Sturm said in 2018, there was $2,400 that was unaccounted for, and at the time, they did not pursue action

because of the cost.

“But we did say as a board

from this point forward, if there is anything that doesn't make sense then we have an obligation to bring it up to the public. Now is the time to do it and find out what happened,” said Sturm.

Garret Gabriel, son of Debra Gabriel, had a heated exchange with the board during public comment.

“Here we go again,” said G. Gabriel. “We were here at the last board meeting when we decided it was going to be a witch hunt and we are still doing it.”

“It's interesting that we are asking an entity to come in and audit the tax office and telling [you] what to look for. If you want a real complete account, I agree to bring the comptroller [in,]” G. Gabriel continued. “I think there are problems in this entire organization, and I was appalled that the tax collector salary was rolled back.”

G. Gabriel said there was a vote of confidence this past

election as Gabriel was reelected with a wide margin.

In the 2020 budget, the tax collector salary saw a 32 per- cent decrease from last year and will now make $15,000 starting in 2020.

According to Sturm, the town board reevaluated the position and analyzed how many hours the previous tax collector worked.

Sturm said based on the data, the board felt it was an appropriate amount for the tax collector.

MOVING FORWARD

The Democrat asked both Sturm and Gabriel how could they move forward and work together in 2020.

“Having been the Supervisor here for about twelve years, I have dealt with many difficult issues of many different varieties,” said Sturm. “[I] will do everything within my control, and working with the Town Board and staff, to make sure the transition for the tax collector office is smooth, professional, and businesslike. The independent auditors will have done their work by then, and we will follow any recommendations and proceed from there.”

Gabriel said, “My reputation will not be destroyed by Dan Sturm, the board, and a few difficult coworkers. He is trying to discredit my reputation by not telling the whole truth. Just enough to mislead the residents of the Town of Bethel. Town Hall has not been a pleasant place to work for years. I have risen above their behavior and will continue to do so. I will continue to be professional. I will wear my warm smile, pleasant personality, and do the job the voters elected me to do. They go low, I go high.”