Lawrence control procedures questioned

Based on a New York State comptroller’s audit, the Village of Lawrence needed to improve its fiscal management procedures and processes concerning procuring services and over its information technology.

State auditors found that the Village of Lawrence board of trustees didn’t provide the proper oversight to several financial activities. The audit spanned from June 1, 2008 to Oct. 31, 2009. Lawrence reported spending approximately $10.5 million during that time period.

Village Mayor Martin Oliner said that the relationship between the auditors and village was cooperative and cordial as most of the controls the report cited had been implemented in his first 90 days of being mayor last year.

“The village is run differently today than it was, there is no reason for short cuts,” Oliner said. “I have taken ownership of this responsibility. The way the village is structured one person is in charge and that is the mayor.”

The board didn’t audit claims and permitted the former village administrator Dan Heron to pay claims before telling the trustees what claims were paid. Thirteen of 18 checks — a total of $129,106 — were reviewed and auditors found that Heron, who was fired more than two years ago, issued the checks and they were cashed by vendors before the information regarding those payments were presented to the board of their approval.

Ten of those 18 claims didn’t include the correct documentation such as a purchase order, formal claim voucher or the signature of a village official to ensure that those goods and services were received the payments were accurate.

“While Lawrence has a “tradition” of volunteer trustees, the comptroller has correctly pointed out that there are significant fiduciary responsibilities invested, particularly in the office of mayor. This is a cautionary document that further highlights the need to be vigilant with taxpayer funds,” said Lawrence trustee Michael Fragin, whose time on the board began after the audit period.

Fragin noted that a majority of the problems highlighted in the report have been rectified, especially updating computer security.