Board weighs treasurer options

MONTICELLO - Monticello village board members were set to review options on what to do about their illegal treasurer at a June 28 special board meeting. The woman who held the post for two years is not a U.S. citizen. The meeting was to take place after The River Reporter went to press this week.

Mayor Robert Friedland has authority to fill the vacancy. Whether he would actually do so was not announced.

Robin Seward was appointed village treasurer in August 1993, at the recommendation of former manager James J. Malloy. Friedland and others have described her as doing a "fantastic" job. But Friedland said when he learned his appointment might be unlawful -- since state law requires municipal officers to be U.S. citizens -- he began investigating.

Two weeks ago, a legal opinion from the NY Council of Mayors (NYCOM) declared the position "vacant by operation of law."

One idea under scrutiny is creating a "comptroller" job especially for Seward, sources said. Seward might be given that job title until she receives her citizenship, assuming the treasurer post again when it is legal for her to do so.

Board members were described as split on adopting this plan.

Knowledgeable sources speaking on the condition of anonymity said one person that Friedland was considering appointing was retired Monticello mayor Louis Harmin treasurer, to serve as treasurer at little or no pay.

Seward is paid $30,000 a year. Sources would not go on the record about the salary for the proposed comptroller position. Village Law requires there be a treasurer. But that person could reportedly be a figurehead, with an employee performing the actual labor, sources said.

Seward said she hopes to be made a U.S. citizen in a few months. She is a Canadian, married to an American.

Republican trustee Gary Sommers was quoted on WSUL radio this week as saying officials had been in touch with U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY), to request special treatment for Seward by the Immigration & Naturalization Service.

Some residents have complained about Seward apparently being treated different than other immigrants awaiting INS action.

---

Above text is copyright by the author.
Duplication without permission is prohibited.