Cloverdale has new clerk-treasurer
CLOVERDALE -- The town council has officially appointed a new clerk-treasurer to replace Patti Truax.
In a special meeting Saturday, the council voted 4-0 for Cathleen Monaco to fulfill Truax's remaining term, which is up in 2012. Council member Don Sublett was absent from the meeting.
Monaco has been acting as interim clerk-treasurer for the town since being appointed by the council on July 10. Putnam County Clerk of Courts Marty Watts swore her into office on July 12 at the courthouse.
"Congratulations," council president Cathy Tipton said to Monaco, after she was appointed Saturday. "There is a lot of work to be done."
Now officially in office, Monaco will be facing computer hard drive and banking issues. Since May, the town council has been dealing with the uncertainty of fund balances; unpaid claims, which were approved for payment, and bounced checks.
When Truax resigned from the post on July 1, she had served as the town's clerk-treasurer for 16 years. Monaco opposed her in the 2007 election and Truax won by seven votes.
Additionally, Tipton was given approval by the board to sign a document allowing the lawsuit between the town and the Whitaker-Davis party to be dropped.
"This is in reference to the fire department issue," Tipton said during the meeting.
A few years ago and under a different board, the council voted against entering into a new contract with the township fire department when it asked for a pay increase. When the fire department vacated the town's building, it was alleged damages were left behind.
The department eventually filed suit against the town for the remainder of its contract and the town countersued for the damages to its building. Now at the request of the Judy Whitaker-John Davis party, the lawsuit against the town over the department's contract will be dropped.
"That leaves us with one more lawsuit," Tipton said.