9/27/2010 Fishkill 5-year Deficit plan meeting at Chelsea FD

Presentation was nearly identical to the meeting at Town Hall on 9/20/2010. The only addition was that the public was allowed to ask questions.

Earlier in the day, Supervisor Pagones was interviewed on Meet the Leaders, hosted by Mr. Michos.

Michos asked Pagones, where a $750,000 developer donation was placed for the Siscar Sewer District project. Pagones responded that money was in the Dutchess Park Sewer District account.

At the meeting, I asked Pagones the same question and got the same answer. I also asked where the developer donations of $700,000 was for the Magnolia project on Route 9D was placed, and where the $650,000 donation was for the Highland Valley Park money was placed in. Pagones responded that Magnolia and Highland Valley were "not" received as the projects were not completed.

I then asked the Comptroller to put up the screen, that showed the sewer accounts. The Comptroller did so and the following was found.

The Dutchess Park Sewer District showed a Expense of $1.484.292 and Revenue at $1.226.598. That is a "negative balance" of $257,694.

Thus, how can that $750,000 be in the Dutchess Park Sewer District, when that district is carrying a negative balance?

Supervisor Pagones and Deputy Supervisor Ferguson stated the money was in a Restricted Fund, when asked by Councilman LaColla. However, the Comptroller corrected him and said it was in the Dutchess Park Sewer District account.

BACKGROUND

A few years ago, Pagones granted Zoning Variances and a 85% tax cut to the Rocky Glen apartment complex on Route 52. In return, the developer donated $750,000 to the adjoining Siscar Development so they could hook into the Dutchess Park Sewer District. The project was to begin in May of 2010 and has since been delayed as Pagones has stated that Dutchess Health Department has the Engineered plan and is reviewing it. It is clear that this money is gone and that Pagones is delaying telling the residents of Siscar that the money is gone.