HomeMy WebLinkAbout1932_02_26 Town Board Minutes3:10 P. M.
Sp'ECIAL =STING OF THT TOWN BOARD
TOWN OF MAMARON7CI{, N. Y.
held February 26th, 1932.
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Burton at
Present: Supervisor Burton
Justices Boyd, Leeds, Messersmith and Burbank
Town Clerk Marvin
The presence was also noted of Counselor Gamble and Special
Counselor J. Henry Fsser.
The Clerk presented the call of the meeting and on motion by
Justice Messersmith, seconded by the Clerk, the call was approved.
The Supervisor advised the Board that under the terms of the
,licks Bill the Town must have two separate places or rooms in
connection with the administration of the temporary unemployment
emergency relief, viz.- one room for interviewing applicants and one
room for an office. He reported that the Town had been paying $50.00
a month rental for one store which was used as the office of the Town
Public welfare Officer. He advised the Board that he had rented a
second store adjoining the first one for the emergency relief work at
an additional cost of $25.00 a month and that a third store adjoining
the other two had been donated for the work relief office without
charge to the Town.
Special Counselor "Esser reported on the situation in the Tax
Office. He said that on his advice the Supervisor had given his own
personal (the Supervisor*s) receipt for tax money presented in payment
of tax bills at the tax office while Santo Lanza, the Receiver of Taxes:
was absent and there was no one in charge of the office; he said the
important thing to do now was to keep the tax office open and running
in order not to inconvenience taxpayers. He pointed out that Deputy
Receiver Johnson was employed only by Mr. Lanza and that Mr. Lanza
was an elected official, over which the Town Board has little or no
authority. "A mere indictment does not create a vacancy in office",
he said.
At this point the Clerk requested that he be excused from the
meeting in view of a pressing engagement elsewhere and Justice Messer -
smith kindly consented to act as Clerk.
Mr. Lanza and Mr. Kent, his attorney, appeared before the
Board and together with the Board discuxsed the situation in Mr. Lanzats
office for some time. Mr. Lanza presented a communication which was
ordered received, entered in the minutes and filed. The communication
is as follows:
February 26th,
1 9 3 2
Town of Mamaroneck
New York
Gentlemen:
In view of my indictment for forgery in the third degree based
on the charge of a failure of the Receiver of Taxes to enter in the
cash book certain named payments by taxpayers, I deem it only fit and
proper to make report to you.
When the time comes I shall plead not guilty to the indictment
and now state that never have I failed to give a taxpayer credit for
the amount of money which he has paid to me as Tax Receiver. I have not
knowingly consented or approved of any scheme or failure to enter such
payments in the cash book or tax roll for the purpose of covering up
any shortage or for, the purpose of using such payments for my own use.
in view of all the runors, however, that have been going arouni,
it seems to me that it would be fitting and proper for the Town. Board to
name an employee of tiry office to whom I can delegate the duty of receiving
said tortes and making the entries in the proper books. This I believe is
provided by Section 20 of the Ifestchester County Tax Law which @reatS®
the office of the Receiver of Taxes. Consequently I would request
the Town Board to name some individual in whom it has confidence, at a
salary at the rate of .2,700. a year, and I will delegate to him the duties
of receiving tax money, entering the same upon the records and depositing
the same in the bank as required by law.
I am an elected official and have certain responsibilities but
if you will name this employee then I shall pay 1.im at the rate stated
out of my salary as heretofore fixed and he may be bonded for the benefit
of the Town the same as the former deputy has been bonded.
I understand that Mr. Johnson, the deputy, was appointed to
serve at my pleasure and I assume that the new employee will take his
glace..
Trusting that you will withhold judgment until such time as I
may have an opportunity to answer the charges against me, I am
Very truly yours
(signed) SANTO LANZA
On motion by Justice Meesersmith and seconded by Justice
Boyd, it was unanimously resolved that the Board recess tt 5:30 P. Ni.
to meet again at 11 A. M. Saturday, February 27th.
Town Clerk