HALF HOLLOW HILLS Copyright © 2013 Long Islander Newspapers, LLC
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N E W S P A P E R
VOLUME SIXTEEN, ISSUE 12
2 SECTIONS, 28 PAGES
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013
DIX HILLS
Caps Off!
Five Towns College graduates David Boskello, Erin Giacinto, Kristina Gomez and FiTeresa Ualialoro celebrate after commencement.
(See story on page A3)
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
INSIDE
Petrone Pleased With State Audit Comptroller recommends reviewing overtime, vacation accrual By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com
More than half a million dollars in Town of Huntington spending was called into question by state officials Friday, but the remaining $199.5 million was thoroughly examined without any concerns. The state comptroller’s office released an audit Friday of the Town of Huntington from Jan. 1, 2011-May 31, 2012. Home to 191,000 residents and employer to nearly 700 full-time staff and several hundred part-time and seasonal staff, the town spent $200 million in 2011. Auditors from the state comptroller’s office scrutinized every cent, poring over ledgers, canceled checks, bank statements and payroll records requested of the town, and in inperson visits. “I am especially pleased that, having looked at the broad range of financial poli-
cies and procedures, the comptroller’s office focused on two very limited issues in a $190-million budget,” Supervisor Frank Petrone said. “While serving as an affirmation of the policies that have helped Huntington maintain its AAA bond rating, we also appreciate the audit’s insight on how to make Huntington’s government operate even more efficiently. We will consider changes to implement the recommendations we have not already put into place.” According to the audit, the Town of Huntington does not require employees to record specific information about their hours, which could allow employees to not actually work all of their hours. One department uses a timesheet with actual times in and out, the comptroller’s office said, but 17 other departments rely on supervisors recording the number of hours worked. In his response, Petrone said all employee hours worked are verified by
timesheet or supervisor. The town would continue exploring biometric time clocks, he added, once talks with unions have taken place. The audit also raises concerns about blue collar supervisors earning overtime without having it pre-approved, much of it by arriving 30-60 minutes early to work. During the audit period, the Town of Huntington paid 15 supervisors $20,575 for 330 hours of overtime in one month, with morning overtime accounting for $14,920 of that. The town could save $179,000 annually by adjusting supervisors’ schedules to control overtime, state officials said. However, Petrone said it’s more efficient to have blue collar supervisors arrive early so employees can get right to work, a practice in place for 30 years. The overtime is contractually obligated, he said, although the supervisor offered to raise the matter (Continued on page A9)
IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION
Thunderbirds Defeat Colts In Finals A15
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