CORTLANDT, N.Y. -- State Senator Greg Ball (R,C - Patterson), who is no stranger to controversy, is the source of some tension in the Town of Cortlandt.
According to Town of Cortlandt officials, Ball made robocalls to town residents inviting them to Cortlandt Town Hall Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. for a State of the State- type presentation, but did not inform the town that he would be taking up time during its meeting.
Supervisor Linda Puglisi said Ball never notified her of his plans, although she said she would allow the first-year state senator 15 minutes at the start of the town board's monthly televised meeting.
"It's unusual, never been done before," Puglisi said of Ball's approach during a work session Monday night. "It was his request, not ours."
Balls Senate website states his intention to attend Cortlandts Tuesdays meeting as a stop on his Town Hall Tour, which has been going on throughout his district since last month.
Councilman Frank Farrell was perturbed by Ball's actions, saying, "That seems a little high hat to me. It's almost turning out to be a campaign event."
Speaking to the Daily Cortlandt, Ball defended his visit to the Town saying its intention is to inform local officials about legislative changes in Albany such as ethics reform, the sales tax cap, and mandate relief and to solicit input from councilmembers.
Councilman John Sloan said he would be ready with some pointed questions for Ball, one dealing with the property tax cap imposed on local governments and school districts by state lawmakers earlier this year.
Puglisi said if Ball needs more than 15 minutes to answer questions from constituents he was welcome to use the conference room in Town Hall.
Said Ball, "As for the robocalls, they are the official government- provided means of communication that we use," adding, "If the Town of Cortlandt isn't interested in participating in the Town Hall meeting, I'll gladly take it elsewhere."
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