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Residents press board over booster-club funds; Supervisor defends long service of volunteers
Summary
Residents and coaches asked the Town Board to explain how remaining funds from the dissolved Tupper Lake Football Boosters Club were distributed; the Supervisor said booster members chose to direct funds to community purposes and defended their decades of volunteer service.
Public comment focused heavily on the dissolution of the Tupper Lake Football Boosters Club and the disposition of its remaining funds.
Brian Bennett, a resident, educator, and business owner, said funds raised to support local football were redirected to other purposes — including a $2,000 donation to the Recreation Department for day-camp scholarships — and questioned whether nonprofit and municipal procedures were followed or public approvals obtained. Bennett urged the board to provide clear answers and greater disclosure. Coach Dennis Klossner described how booster funds historically covered charter buses (approximately $20,000 annually), team trips, equipment, and meals, and said the program has left the school with an inventory that will help future players.
Stephen Jellie asked the Town to examine whether laws or procedures were violated and said he has spoken with the district attorney and believes an independent review may be appropriate. In response, Supervisor Rick Dattola defended the booster club’s long community service, saying volunteer members with more than 30 years of history made distribution decisions they believed would benefit local youth and residents. The board took no formal action on requests for an independent investigation during the meeting.
