The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA),  recently held a Special Information Session. Guest speakers Joseph C. Ferreira and Thomas J. Ruggiero, Partners at Hauppauge-based AVZ & Co. P.C. Certified Public Accountants, addressed the Commissioners on the topic of “New York State Comptroller Audits.” Albertson Water District Commissioners Howard Abbondondelo, Richard Ockovic and Kenneth Vey hosted the session.

The focus was on the constitutional and statutory objectives of auditing. “The difference between independent audits and comptroller audits includes scope and materiality,” Mr. Ferreira stated. “Being thoroughly prepared includes operational and control considerations, especially internal operations, as well as compliance with NYS general municipal law and their own internal policies and procedures.”

Mr. Ruggiero added, “There is a distinct need to have policies for traditional topics such as purchasing, investments, and fixed assets. In today’s world, IT, disaster recovery and business continuity must also have policies in place.”

 NSWCA President Raymond Averna commented, “The subsequent hands during the Q&A session brought deeper discussion of several interrelated topics, including the Top 10 internal controls, and delved into important governance issues that concern all member District Commissioners. Mr. Ferreira and Mr. Ruggiero graciously enlightened us with their expertise and insights.”

Mr. Ferreira (Smithtown, NY) is a Hofstra graduate and a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the NYS Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA) and past-chairperson of the Real Estate/Construction Committee for the Suffolk Chapter of NYSSCPA.

Mr. Ruggiero (Port Jefferson Station, NY), a Dowling College graduate, is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the NYS Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA), The NYS Government Finance Officers’ Association (NYSGFOA), the NYS Association of School Business Officials (NYSSASBO), the NYS Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) and the NYS American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACECNY).

Massapequa Water District Superintendent Stan Carey, who is NSWCA¹s representative to the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection (LICAP), updated NSWCA members on the newly-formed LICAP commission. LICAP is a bi-county commission that addresses quantity and quality issues re: Long Island’s aquifer system including contamination, waste, saltwater intrusion, mismanagement and usage. The meeting was hosted by Locust Valley Water District Commissioners Pasquale J. Eliseo, Anker Johansen and Louis P. Savinetti.

During his address, Mr. Carey reported, “opening meetings reaffirmed LICAP’s mission, goals and deliverables. Significant among those are an annual State of the Aquifer Report and a history of Long Island¹s water supply and resources.  Equally important is the establishment of two committees, the 2040 Water Resource Opportunities Subcommittees and 2040 Water Resources and Infrastructure Committee.”

“LICAP has a very important role to play on a very important subject,” stated NSWCA President and Massapequa Water District Commissioner Thomas P. Hand.  “Through Mr. Carey¹s active involvement, the collective voices of NSWCA¹s 21 commissioner-run districts and all of those they represent will be heard. We endorse the comprehensive planning for the protection of Long Island¹s groundwater and the solutions to safeguard Long Island¹s aquifers.²

Appointed to LICAP by NSWCA Board of Commissioners for his vast experience and dedication to the water industry, Mr. Carey is a Suffolk County resident with 30 years of water utility experience and is Superintendent of Massapequa Water District, 2nd Vice Chairman of Long Island Water Conference, member of American Water Works Association and a volunteer fireman.  He has an Applied Science degree in Public Water Supply and is a certified water treatment operator. LICAP commission members are unpaid. 
                                                                                                                    

At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) Special Training Session hosted by Westbury Water District Commissioners Vincent Abbatiello, Kenneth O. Jones and William C. Olson, Kathleen Cannon, CPA and Business Manager of the Jericho Water District addressed the assemblage on the topic of “Fiscal Responsibilities of Commissioners & The Budget Process”.

Ms. Cannon’s incisive presentation included sections on the New York State Tax Cap and New York State Property Tax Freeze’s current law regarding government efficiency plans. Topics presented in detail were the key fiscal responsibilities of the Commissioners including developing and maintaining Water District policies & procedures, monitoring fiscal operations, conducting internal audits and developing an annual budget.

“Budget development is a serious process that requires meticulous attention to detail.” Ms. Cannon commented. “It requires a team effort that should be led by a Budget Officer with the ultimate responsibility of setting a realistic, structurally balanced budget on the Commissioners. Water Districts are required to submit an Annual Budget for approval from the Town in which they are located.”

NSWCA President Thomas P. Hand commented, “This is the latest in our series of Continuing Education and Training. It was particularly apropos because it helped prepare the Commissioners, Superintendents and Business Managers for their budget processes. Ms. Cannon’s ability to articulate the intricacies of each topic was greatly appreciated by all in attendance.”

Kathleen Cannon is a graduate of St. John’s University and also received her CPA license from the State of New York in 1993. Formerly the Comptroller at the Town of Huntington, Kathleen is currently the Business Manager at the Jericho Water District.