Questions raised regarding ‘inappropriate activity,’ potential LIDA violations
February 12, 2020
by MARIA PERICOZZI Editor
Lancaster Town Council Member Robert Leary submitted a letter to the Lancaster Industrial Development Board Tuesday regarding allegations of inappropriate activity that was brought to his attention.
The inappropriate activity surrounds potential violations of the LIDA by-laws and other LIDA-related issues, that require action and corrections, he wrote.
His letter included several questions and concerns that he requested be addressed and answered in writing. The 25 questions range from when Town Supervisor Ron Ruffino Sr. was officially elected chairman, members of the LIDA board, and details of the contract between the LIDA board and the Town of Lancaster to pay $30,000 for “Administrative Support.”
“These are just questions at this point,” Leary said. “I’m not making any decisions on what comes back.”
Leary said he will wait to act further until the attorney responds to the questions.
The LIDA Board was a topic at the Feb. 3 Lancaster Town Board work session, where Ruffino addressed some of Leary’s concerns. After heated discussion between Leary and Ruffino regarding Leary’s concerns, Ruffino stated he was new in his position and still learning.
One of Leary’s concerns in the letter he wanted addressed was an interaction between Ruffino and the administrative secretary and records management officer, Mary Nowak. According to Leary, Ruffino told Nowak to turn over all LIDA records before he was officially elected LIDA chairman. At the Feb. 3 work session, Leary asked Ruffino if he “ordered” the person in charge of records to turn over the records before he was the chairman, and Ruffino said no.
“The person came up to me and asked if she was going to still be it, and I didn’t make a decision,” Ruffino responded at the work session. “I went down there and she gave me everything, so I didn’t order her at all.”
Leary also questioned in the letter was whether there was anything in the LIDA by-laws, or any stated or unstated contract that LIDA has to elect the Lancaster Town Supervisor as the chairman of LIDA, and also hire his staff as employees of LIDA. Ruffino stated at the work session that numerous supervisors have always been appointed chairman of LIDA.
Leary also questioned whether new LIDA member David Visone took and filed an oath of office within 30 days of appointment. If Visone did not file an oath of office, Leary inquired whether or not his seat is now vacant, and if the town board will be notified of the vacancy.
Leary said he is not sure when he will receive answers, but he requested responses as soon as possible.
Ruffino stated at the work session that LIDA is a completely separate government agency.
“First of all, LIDA has nothing to do with the town board, except appointing people,” Ruffino said.
Leary said the appointment of LIDA board members dictates what happens on the LIDA board.
“Part of it you’ll hear, is all we do is appoint the members,”
Leary said. “That’s not quite true because they pay our town employees for their assistance.”
Leary also said there are 71 properties listed online that receive tax breaks from LIDA, which impacts the Town of Lancaster.
“We have interests in all those different things going on,” Leary said. “It’s not just you appoint the people and we’re done, we still have interests because we have funds coming in. We have to know where they go and if [the funds are] properly spent and also what’s going on with all the properties.”