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Select Board discusses forensic audit options, considers state auditor and multi‑year review
Summary
Members discussed whether to retain an outside forensic accountant for a multi‑year look‑back audit or to request the Massachusetts State Auditor’s office to conduct a no‑cost review; consensus to bring forward a warrant item for the town meeting and to invite school district participation.
Select Board member Tim (surname not given) raised the town’s expired three‑year contract with Roselli Clark & Associates and proposed considering a change in audit provider and/or commissioning a forensic audit, including a multi‑year “look‑back” that could examine ARPA and other expenditures across multiple fiscal years.
Board members discussed three options: (1) seek proposals from private accounting firms for a forensic or full audit and potentially rotate firms every several years; (2) request assistance from the Massachusetts State Auditor’s office, which the panel noted can provide a no‑cost audit but requires a town meeting vote and a formal request; or (3) combine approaches, starting with a state audit to obtain a deep dive without immediate town expense.
Tim suggested starting the process now to allow time for town meeting action and to include the Narragansett Regional School District in a potential request. The board agreed the state auditor route offers a cost‑free deep dive and asked staff to prepare a future agenda item and draft language so the board could consider placing a warrant article before the annual town meeting. No contract or firm was selected on Feb. 12.
