MARILLA
Invoice scandal continues to raise ire
The phony-invoice scandal embroiling former Marilla Highway Superintendent David Pierce continues to agitate town taxpayers.
During a meeting of the Town Board last week, several residents grilled officials about where the case stands.
Pierce and Springville businessman Ronald Wells drew up 22 phony invoices over a period of more than four years for equipment the town never received from Wells’ company. The two men split the proceeds.
Both pleaded guilty to felony embezzlement, and in late July, Wells, 60, was sentenced in State Supreme Court to probation and was ordered to reimburse the town $16,000.
An FBI investigation led to the resignation of Pierce, who will be sentenced this week.
Resident Shirley Limpinsel asked the board Thursday night why an Elma judge last May fined Pierce only $150 for smashing up town trucks during the investigation.
Limpinsel said she heard that the prosecutor suggested leniency for Pierce because he had paid back the money stolen from the town and had been going to church.
Another resident asked if the town had hired an attorney or auditor to deal with the issue.
Supervisor George Gertz said the town has yet to receive money from Pierce. He also noted the truck-damage case was moved to Elma when Marilla justices recused themselves.
Meanwhile, Marilla Town Clerk Dawn Pearce and Highway Superintendent Ron Unverdorven are conducting an internal audit.
The town received insurance payments for the truck damage.
In other matters:
• The board scheduled public hearings for 7:30 p. m. Sept. 11 on a so-called flag lot application — named for the shape of the parcel and the long, narrow driveway leading to it — for land located on Townline Road owned by Debbie and Donald Zimmerman and a public hearing for a special-use permit requested for a bed-and-breakfast at 1411 Stolle Road, owned by Robert Pucket.
• A Planning Board meeting will be held at 7 p. m. Thursday to seek public input on a proposed subdivision near Greenwood Terrace on Bullis Road.
• The board approved a $12,388 bid for replacement windows at Town Hall submitted by Blizniak Enterprises of Marilla.
