- The state auditor who examined the Department of Public Works recently appeared before the City Council and praised the city for taking corrective steps to implement a control and accountability system, councilors said. State Auditor Joseph DeNucci's office released a 25-page report in November stating that during calendar years 2005 and 2006, the DPW lacked oversight over equipment inventory, fee collection, and gasoline distribution. Among other things, the report pointed out that the DPW's gas-pumping system lacked proper regulation. City Councilor Anthony Zambuto asked that the lead auditor appear before the council to clarify the findings. Zambuto said he was pleased with the presentation because it, "cleared up all these ambiguities and innuendoes that people were running amuck down there, which is not true." Councilor Daniel Rizzo was also glad for the presentation. "All the public hears is that there is unending corruption down there and that's just not the case." Councilor George Rotondo, who spearheaded the efforts to audit the DPW, said he was happy the state auditor was able to point out deficiencies in accountability within the department. He added the audit findings, which are posted on the city's website, should not be taken lightly. The city has already taken steps to implement a bar-coding system to keep track of purchases and to replace the outdated gasoline control system. - Katheleen Conti