Coming in Sunday's News-Times: Slush fund?

The Burnham Fund, established in the town of Bridgewater decades ago to provide help for the town's poor, has come under considerable scrutiny in light of the FBI's raid on Town Hall in July.

Up until recently, First Selectman Bill Stuart was able to disperse funds as he pleased to help needy residents in town.

What other Greater Danbury communities have these independent funds -- outside of their local social services departments -- and what checks and balances do these funds have?

What do supporters of these funds say? What do detractors say?

To learn more about the Burnham Fund and other funds like it, be sure to read "Slush fund?" on Sunday, exclusively in the print edition of The News-Times.