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Politics & Government

Tempers Ignite At Contentious Town Board Session

Board members dig in to each other over tactics.

A work session Friday designed to be just a review of the draft agenda for Tuesday’s Southampton Town Board meeting exploded in a shouting match marked by  scathing remarks.

The brouhaha unfolded after a resolution was read involving a bid by Councilman Chris Nuzzi (R–Speonk) authorizing and directing the town comptroller to prepare monthly financial reports and requiring a regular update of financial software applications.

Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst (I–Sag Harbor) suggested that before the new system of reporting was implemented, the comptroller’s office be given time to get the new software in place.

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Sparks flew regarding the financial impact of the resolution, which Comptroller Tamara Wright wrote would involve an additional staff member to meet new reporting requirements, at approximately $75,000.

The supervisor suggested a work session be held to fully vet the issues while all five board members were present; Councilwoman Nancy Graboski (R–Bridgehampton) was on vacation and missed Friday's session.

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The resolution followed a measure by Councilwoman Bridget Fleming (D–Noyac) to amend the town’s 2011 budget, creating the position of principal management analyst in the business management office. The move was prompted by concerns about inadequate staffing levels expressed by the town’s budget and finance committee, Fleming said.

Controversy has been swirling in town hall since the Republican-Conservative majority of the board introduced a series of 11th hour resolutions amending and effectively abolishing the supervisor’s 2011 budget. Similar discord arose after the left vacant by the .

Fleming advocated holding a discussion regarding Nuzzi’s request for new financial reporting standards.

Councilman Jim Malone (C–Hampton Bays) countered that the responsibility was not new — monthly variance reports have been requested from the comptroller for years.

In the past, Fleming has called the GOP faction to the carpet for voting to move forward on decisions without full board input — most notably, the Kratoville appointment.

Nuzzi said monthly variance reports are basic financial information and blasted Wright for suggesting hiring a $75,000 employee.

“The comptroller is taking advantage, twisting this into a need for more staffing and turning this into a political firestorm,” he said. “We need a $75,000 employee to give a variance report? This is a lobbying effort to bring in an individual.”

The councilman said he’s been asking for variance reports for two years.

Throne-Holst and Town Clerk Sundy Schermeyer confirmed such reports have been available; the supervisor said perhaps Nuzzi had been unaware of how to access the information. She questioned Nuzzi’s putting forth the resolution “without the courtesy of a conversation” with Wright.

If Wright was unaware of the meaning of fiscal impact, blasted Malone, “I worry that we have the wrong comptroller.”

“I know you would like to go down that road,” countered Throne-Holst, adding Malone should speak directly to the comptroller and IT department and defending Wright's service to the town.

Nuzzi said if he had received the information he wanted, he would not have to pursue the measure “as a directive.” To Throne-Holst, he snapped, “In your world, we will continue to speak about this until everyone agrees with you.”

Nuzzi went on to say 2011 budget decisions had been made already, “and at some point, we have to let them sink in and let people do their job.”

Malone agreed, stating that the “level of anger and frustration” involves Fleming’s and Throne-Holt’s “refusal to accept” the 2011 budget as amended.

Fleming, who said the post was given to a “crony,” questioned a proposed resolution that would afford Kratoville more power as town management services administrator.

“As a member of the minority on this board it is my responsibility to put the brakes” on such moves, she said.

Throne-Holst suggested the discussion be continued at a work session this Friday, when all professionals involved could be present.

“You can stop the scolding,” Malone said. “You are speaking to me like I am one of our children. Even if you don’t like me, you should respect the office I hold.”

After the meeting, Throne-Holst said she wishes to put an end to “squabbling in the press,” but Malone’s “bullying tactic,” a reference to her children, “includes some insinuation that my behavior is gender based. Trying to equate the dysfunction of this town board with raising children raises a specter of sexism and defies respect for professional and appropriate boundaries. Mr. Malone owes me and my children an apology.”

Fleming said she would table her resolution rather than push to have it considered Tuesday; the supervisor suggested similar action for related resolutions.

“This is not the way I had hoped to start the new year,” Throne-Holst said of the heated work session. “The good news is I asked for the board’s agreement in trying to forge a more productive working relationship,” with more opportunities for discussion and review. “I look forward to what I hope will be positive results.”

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