State Comptroller DiNapoli releases municipal audits
Village of Coxsackie – Treasurers’ Records and Reports (Greene County)
The treasurers did not maintain complete, accurate and timely records and reports or adhere to generally accepted accounting principles. Auditors identified transactions totaling $420,215 that were not recorded, $236,921 that were incorrectly recorded and $91,741 that were recorded twice in the accounting records. As a result, the board’s ability to properly and effectively monitor and manage the village’s financial operations was reduced. Additionally, the board did not annually audit the treasurers’ records to ensure they were accurate, complete and maintained in a timely manner.
Midway Fire District – Claims Auditing (Albany County)
Although required, the board did not thoroughly and deliberately audit all claims during the audit period. Auditors reviewed 71 claims (57 disbursements) totaling $542,613 and determined that 26 claims totaling $123,874 were not always adequately supported; included sales tax that should not have been paid, unnecessary charges including potentially inappropriate gift cards; or were not audited and approved by the entire board prior to payment. The lack of a proper audit of claims increased the risk that claims for inappropriate purposes could be paid, or that irregularities could go undetected and uncorrected.
Town of Morehouse – Transparency of Fiscal Activities (Hamilton County)
The board did not conduct or provide for an annual audit of the supervisor’s financial records and reports for fiscal year 2024 in accordance with state law. In addition, although the supervisor prepared and filed the 2024 annual financial report (AFR) with the Comptroller’s Office, as required by state law, the supervisor did not provide the board with complete monthly financial reports.
Saranac Fire District – Board Oversight (Clinton County)
The board did not adequately oversee the district’s financial operations related to maintaining accounting records, preparing bank reconciliations, submitting monthly and annual financial reports, performing annual audits, receiving state contract pricing for purchases and auditing and approving claims. As a result, the board’s ability to effectively manage the District’s financial condition, make sound financial decisions and ensure that the district only incurred necessary costs and paid for goods and services that were for appropriate district purposes were impaired. In addition, the district faced an increased risk of theft, waste and abuse of district resources.
Town of Steuben – Transparency of Fiscal Activities (Oneida County)
The board did not conduct or provide for an annual audit of the supervisor’s financial records and reports for fiscal year 2024 in accordance with state law. In addition, the supervisor did not file the 2022 through 2024 AFRs with the Comptroller’s Office within 60 days after the fiscal years’ end, as required by law. Furthermore, the supervisor did not properly maintain financial information recorded in the accounting records, provide the board with all necessary monthly financial reports, and ensure town employees were paid in accordance with board-approved pay rates.
South Butler Fire District – Audit Follow-Up (Wayne County)
An audit released in April 2021 determined that the board did not provide adequate oversight of the district’s financial operations and did not adopt or enforce key financial policies. In a follow-up, auditors found that of the audit report’s 14 recommendations, the board implemented five, partially implemented one and did not implement eight.
Quaker Street Fire District – Audit Follow-Up (Schenectady County)
An audit released in December 2021 found that the board did not provide oversight to ensure purchases complied with the district’s procurement policy, claims were adequately reviewed, and financial reports were filed. Of the audit report’s seven recommendations, the board partially implemented one and did not implement six.
Caledonia Joint Fire District – Audit Follow-Up (Livingston County)
An audit released in November 2024 determined that the board and district officials did not properly plan for long-term financial and capital needs. Of the audit report’s two recommendations, the board and district officials fully implemented one recommendation and partially implemented one recommendation.
Posted: May 14th, 2026 under Corruption in Gov't., Fire Department News, Northern NY News, State Government News.
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Albany, May 14, 2026 – Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Karen McMahon today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to strengthen support for volunteer firefighters across the state (A.6790, McMahon). Editor’s Note – Th law must still be passed by the NYS Senate and signed by the Governor.
Peru, NY, May 13, 2026 – Adirondack Farms was picking stone today in a field adjacent to the Brand Hollow Rd., the former Torrence Farm. I’m sure some readers recall picking stones using their bare hands and a stone boat pulled by a farm tractor. My Uncle Steve Ryan pulled his stone boat with a team of horses. Saranac’s fields have many more stones than Peru’s.
Elizabethtown, NY, May 12, 2026 — A long-overdue honor will soon be restored to a local War of 1812 soldier who gave his life during the Battle of Plattsburgh. Private Ansel Holcomb, a member of Captain Calkin’s Company, was wounded during the battle on September 11, 1814 and succumbed to his injuries on September 13. Despite his sacrifice, Holcomb’s gravestone at Boquet Cemetery in New Russia, New York has been missing for generations—either never installed or lost over time.
Submissions for the 2026 Peru Athletics Hall of Fame are due May 30th, 2026. To nominate a member, please complete
Clinton County, NY, May 13, 2026 – The Clinton County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) today announced the approval of the first project under its Workforce Development Program, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the region’s workforce and enhancing its ability to support business growth, attract new industries and employers, and advance job opportunities and economic welfare of the people of Clinton County, New York.
Lake Placid, NY (May 11, 2026) – The Lake Placid July 4th Organizing Committee is inviting community members to take part in the annual Independence Day celebration, which features a parade down Main Street. Organizers are calling on the community to help make this year’s event the most vibrant yet, with all encouraged to participate. The parade will take place on Saturday, July 4, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
PLATTSBURGH, NY – May 12 2026 – The Strand Center for the Arts is excited to host “Organic Matter.
Albany, May 12, 2026 – A constitutional amendment sponsored by Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) to facilitate the sale of Camp Gabriels in the Town of Brighton in Franklin County passed the state Senate today. Senate bill S548 enables the property to be sold or leased and ensures that the funds from the sale go toward forest preserve acquisition in the Adirondack Park. This is the sixth consecutive year Stec’s legislation has passed the Senate and still awaits first passage in the Assembly.






