Town of Hamburg

FINANCE DIRECTOR RETIRES; BOARD TO FILL COMPTROLLER POST:

The Town of Hamburg hasn't had a finance director since Saturday.

In fact, it may never have one again.

With Jim Spute's retirement after 33 years with the town, the Town Board has reclassified his position - and taken control of the appointment process.

As director of finance, Spute was an appointee of the town supervisor. But with the board creating a comptroller position in place of Spute's old job, the appointment will be made by board vote.

"We saw the strategy being proposed by a number of other larger towns like us," said Councilwoman Joan Kesner, "and it was an opportunity for us to streamline and make some up-to-date improvements in that office."

Kesner said the town will be updating its computers and combining the positions of chief financial officer and director of finance into one.
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The switch essentially would leave the comptroller working for the Town Board instead of working for the supervisor.

The comptroller will be picked by a search committee. Each member of the Town Board, including the supervisor, will be naming one member of the committee.