Town Clerk Mary Ellen Beams has created 'highly efficient, cost-saving' office

My name is Patti Kasch. I would like to disclose right from the start that I have been serving as Mary Ellen Beams’ deputy town clerk for the past seven years and her deputy tax collector for the past four years. After reading a particular letter to the editor this past week I felt compelled to address this issue. The cleaning bid that was referred to was solely handle by myself. Mary Ellen removed herself from the process right from the beginning and at which time she did disclose as did the bidder the relationship that is in question. As Councilman Rogers stated at a recent Town Board meeting, bids are voted on and awarded by the Town Board only. With that said, I have work side-by- side with Mary Ellen and have seen first-hand her vast knowledge and dedication to her job. She has made herself readily available for the residents of Monroe after hours, on weekends and whenever a request is made of her. She is constantly looking for ways to save the residents money. For instance, when her office took over the dog licensing system, she included in the Local Law that seniors over 65 would be exempt from the fee. When seniors have thanked her, I have heard her say, “ I know it’s not much but every little bit helps.” The person who wrote the letter stated that she will do only one job. That’s easy to say, but if she knew the job of the Town Clerk, she would know that all over the state tax collecting is being consolidated into the clerk’s office, a position which does fall under the title of Town Clerk. In 1995 the former town clerk decided to give up the Tax Collector position and the Tax Department was formed with its own budget. Right before the 2006 tax season, Mary Ellen was asked by the Town Board to take back the Tax Collector position. Putting the tax department back in the clerk’s office is not a unique situation. This was a recommendation that came from the state called consolidate and save money. Monroe consolidated and money was saved. Here’s how it was accomplished: Mary Ellen took the position on because as a taxpayer herself, she is always looking to save money for the residents. In bringing in new software, offering tax information online and acceptance of credit card payments, she took a tax office budget in 2006 of $39,926.32, which included four employees and a salary budget of $36,076.32, down to two employees with a salary budget of $9,450.89 for 2011; the total budget expended as on now in 2011 is $11,000.60. Prior to 2007 the office was only opened Jan. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and February and March by appointment only to now being open all year long same hours as Town Clerk’s office with the exception of after hours on week nights and weekends during tax season. Mary Ellen was the first Town Clerk and also Tax Collector to accept credit cards in Orange County. To Mary Ellen’s credit the end result is a highly efficient, cost-saving, tax department for the residents of Monroe. In closing I would like to say that Town Clerk Mary Ellen F. Beams is highly respected among her peers and the residents of Monroe. Please join me on Nov. 8 and make your vote count for the most experienced qualified person to hold this position “ Your Town Clerk Mary Ellen F. Beams” Thank you. Patti Kasch Monroe