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Middletown mayor disputes state comptroller audit findings, highlights community events and development
Summary
Mayor DeStefano told the common council that a New York State Comptroller report criticized historical payroll practices at the wastewater treatment plant but said the district attorney previously declined prosecution. He also updated the council on local graduations, development, and a proposal to name a warming station for Marilyn Pierce.
Mayor DeStefano used his May 20 remarks to address a recently posted audit from the New York State Comptroller, describe local institutional and cultural events, and preview items the council would consider, including renaming the city warming station.
On the state audit, the mayor summarized the Comptroller's allegations as relating to payroll practices at the sewage treatment plant that allegedly involved "double dipping" by employees working for both Middletown and, at the same time, Crawford. He said the city provided records seven years ago to the district attorney and that the DA declined to pursue criminal charges. "The case was dismissed," the mayor said, and added: "I think it's inappropriate" for the Comptroller's Office to publish the report without explaining why criminal prosecutors previously did not pursue the matter.
DeStefano said the city cooperated with state auditors and the district attorney, that the municipality retains a private auditor (RBT) for annual reviews, and that the city will press the Comptroller's Office for further explanation. He described some audit recommendations — for example, installing time clocks rather than handwritten time cards — and said those changes had been bargained with unions and are being implemented.
The mayor also summarized local events and development. He described Touro University's Class of 2025 graduation at the Paramount Theater and said the former Horton Hospital site — a roughly 400,000-square-foot building now used by Touro — is nearly full. He said Fei Tian College is seeking state approval to become the main campus of Northern University and noted ongoing workforce and educational programming linked to regional chip-manufacturing initiatives.
DeStefano announced the council would consider renaming the city warming station to honor Marilyn Pierce. He described Pierce as instrumental to the Greater Middletown Interfaith Council warming efforts and said the city and council members planned to make the change.
On recreation and parks, the mayor mentioned the new Milltown Reservoir mountain bike trails and said volunteers and city staff coordinated the project. The council later approved a resolution to name the trails (see "Votes at a glance"). DPW Commissioner Jacob reported separately that reservoir water levels were high and that crews had treated two reservoirs with copper sulfate and that the annual milling and paving program would begin May 27.
The mayor closed by listing upcoming events, including a Juneteenth Festival on June 19 and Memorial Day ceremonies; Economic Development Director Maria provided additional event details to the council.
Ending: The mayor said the city would send a formal follow-up to the Comptroller's Office and invited further council questions; several aldermen praised the planned warming station name change and the city's cultural and economic developments.
