The Ancram Financial Advisory Council (FAC) was established by the Ancram Town Board in 2010 based on a recommendation in the 2010 Comprehensive Plan to provide financial analytic support for the Town Board, the Highway Department and Town Supervisor, and to provide independent public oversight of the Town’s financial management process. The Comprehensive Plan recommendation was to:
Consider appointing a Financial Analysis Advisory Committee to work as a “staff” for the Town Board, Highway Department and other town officials to help identify the long term capital needs of the Community, and determine how and when to accomplish them. This Committee should also be “tasked” to develop the skills, experience, process and contacts to assist all Town agencies to plan and analyze large capital projects, and to support each specific requirement as needed and as requested. Members of this Board should be appointed for terms similar to those of Planning Board members, and should become the Town’s “institutional memory” on financial planning and financial management issues which often play out over long time periods.
The FAC has evolved to participate in the preparation of the annual budget, annually reviews the Town’s insurance policies, reviews the Town’s financial reports on a monthly basis and conducts an annual audit of the Town’s financial books and records. The FAC normally meets once a month at 9.30 am on the Saturday morning prior to the Town Board meeting, which is the third Thursday of each month, at the Ancram Town Hall, and more frequently during periods of budget preparation and audit review.
Current FAC members include:
- Art Bassin
- Ann Rader
- Carol Falcetti
- Mike Citrin
- Hugh Clark
- Peter Scola
- Bob Wilcox
- Steve Olyha
- Steve Roberts
- Will Weiss
FAC members typically have financial or business backgrounds, or are interested in the financial aspects of Town Government. No more than two Town Board members may actively participate in FAC meetings, but all are welcome to come to FAC meetings, which are open to the public, to listen. Anyone interested in joining the FAC should contact Art Bassin by email at (abassin@townofancram.org) or by phone at 518-469-7768.