CLAVERACK RESIDENTS FILE COMPLAINT AGAINST TOWN BOARD

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BY SHAWN NESS

A group of town residents filed a complaint Sept. 20 with State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office over what they called the illegal appointment and misuse of taxpayer money when the town board named William R. Dickie Michael to the town clerk's position.

"In September 2025, the Town Board quietly installed William R. Dickie Michael (Rich  Michael) as town clerk without a public vote. Formal appointment, or swearing-in,''  according to a press release from the group of residents. "Michael—who is also the Republican and Conservative Party candidate for town clerk on the November ballot—is nonetheless listed on the town’s official website (townofclaverack.com) as ‘town clerk,’ raising immediate concerns that he is being improperly paid with taxpayer funds. This maneuver by the Republican-led board amounts to giving their candidate a taxpayer-funded leg up in the election."

The group filed its complaint with the Office of the State Comptroller on Sept. 20. The state comptroller's office Press Secretary Mark Johnson confirmed Friday that DiNapoli's office received the complaint.

Claverack Town Supervisor Clifford Weigelt said he could not recall when Michael took over the role of town clerk from the former clerk. Mary Jean Hoose, who retired in August. She is now working part time as deputy town clerk, along with Deputy Town Clerk Vonda Teaney.

"He's [Michael] been working for the town for over two years, doing computer stuff and water collection.” Weigelt said Friday. "He does a lor of stuff. We moved him up when Mary Jean [Hoose] retired.”

He said he had not heard of anyone filing a complaint against the town board over Michael becoming the town clerk.

Weigelt said he could not recall when Michael took over the position, when he was sworn, or when the town board vote was held to confirm Michael as town clerk.

"Listen. I just don't remember the day." he said "I don't want to be wrong. Let's put it that way."

Weigelt said Michael's swearing-in was not mandated to be held during a public meeting.

"It does not have to be done during a public meeting; we can do that for anyone, if we have to." he said.

Any public body making an official decision in an executive session has to record and

summarize the actions taken and the date the action was taken in its meeting minutes, according to the state's open meetings law. Actions taken, including votes, during regular sessions arc also supposed to be documented, including any votes or resolutions.

Weigelt said he was unaware of any such law.

"As far as I know, no. As far as l understand it, we don't have to have a public meeting to swear someone in for such a short term." Weigelt said.

There is no meeting agenda for the town's last meeting on Sept. 11 posted to the town's website as of Friday afternoon.

Weigelt said Michael, who is running for the clerk's position on the Republican ticket this year, was hired in the short term until a new full-time clerk is elected in November. Both deputy clerks are part-time positions, and on an alternating schedule.

Weigelt said he was unsure of the results of town board vote approving Michael to town clerk or the date of the meeting was held when the board voted him into the position.

"It’s been a while," Weigelt said Friday. "(The vote was) probably unanimous from what I understand."

The concerned residents' group said the situation is “further clouded” by the retention of Hoose as another deputy clerk.

“The situation is further clouded by the fact that retired Town Clerk Mary Jean Hoose is now listed as ‘deputy clerk’ alongside current Deputy Clerk Vonda Teaney—suggesting that the town may be paying three people for two positions, including a retiree already drawing benefits,” according to a Thursday press release from the group.

Claire Ackerman, who authored the press release, said the fact that there was no published notice of Michael’s appointment was part of the problem.

“No, we don’t know exactly when Mr. Michael began serving as town clerk—and that’s precisely the problem,” Ackerman said Friday. “Neither we nor other residents were ever told when or how this decision was made. How long have taxpayers been footing the bill for three people to do what is, in reality, a one-person job? Why weren’t residents consulted? What was the rush? Why wasn’t there an application process? These are questions the public deserves answers to.”

She said the group first became aware of Michael’s retention as clerk when other town residents saw him listed on the town’s website last week.

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