MONTICELLO  — Board members in the village of Monticello called an emergency meeting last Wednesday, the majority of which was spent in executive session to discuss personnel.

When the board reemerged that morning, they passed a resolution related to Treasurer Gary Lasher.

“Whereas the most recent audit of the Village by the New York State Comptroller concerns troubling findings concerning the financial status of the village and requires this board of trustees to exercise specific and particular oversight,” the resolution read. 

The resolution stated that the treasurer had been on leave status and “not responsive to the requests made by members of this board for information relevant to preparing a factual and timely response to said State Comptroller's audit.”

The resolution stated that Trustees Rochelle Massey and Carmen Rue would meet with Lasher within five days from the passage of the resolution (Wednesday, April 27) and report back to the board regarding all inquiries concerning the audit and the village’s response.

Treasurer Lasher declined to comment about the resolution.

“Board members should go through the manager for anything they need,” said Mayor George Nikolados, describing the resolution as “posturing.”

Village Manager James Snowden said there were some materials he had not received but he hoped the resolution would resolve the issue.

Nikolados said the treasurer was unresponsive because he was on vacation that week.

“The resolution itself I have no problem with. Controls are good, but we also have to be careful to not micromanage employees as trustees.”

Trustees Michael Banks and Gordon Jenkins have expressed concern about not receiving documents related to resolutions in time to cast informed votes during meetings.

Trustees Banks, Jenkins, Carmen Rue and Rochelle Massey voted in favor of the resolution. Mayor Nikolados attended the meeting but left before the vote was cast.

“I think the mayor should have been here for this vote,” Jenkins said.

Nikolados, who owns the Miss Monticello Diner, said he had a prior commitment.

“We do have scheduled meetings that are in the afternoon. I have a job and this meeting was called [Monday afternoon] without any prior knowledge of what was on the agenda.”