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Residents and board debate procurement irregularities and contract awards after citizen audit
Summary
A resident auditor flagged missing invoices, altered bid line items and a potential refund; the board approved several bid awards (pool chemicals, equipment/operators) while members questioned bidder counts and asked for documentation of savings.
Public commenters and several town board members pressed for more transparency in public‑works procurement and invoice review at the March 24 meeting.
Resident auditor Don Philipsky said his review of contracts and invoices for public works uncovered multiple red flags: unsigned invoices, missing invoices, scope changes not matching bid documents, and apparent line‑item alterations in winning bids. He told the board his audit indicated the town “is due at least $3,51.34” (an amount he asked staff to verify) and that invoices reviewed suggested overpayments and missing paperwork.
At the meeting the board advanced several procurement items. It rescinded older award resolutions where rebids produced lower unit prices tied to a nearly $10 million Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) sanitary‑sewer funding package. The board approved Resolution 2026‑193 to award pool maintenance chemicals to Ammerix Chemical Company of Buffalo (staff said funding is in the pools/youth budget) and approved Resolution 2026‑195 awarding equipment and operators for public works (Bid 2026‑7) to CH Company Incorporated of Alden, NY for a total bid price of $2,184,240. Board members noted only two final bids were received for the equipment/operators contract after a third prospective bidder failed to submit a final proposal.
Council Member Thompson asked how the town determined the lowest‑responsible bidder when bids were close; staff and other members said the awarded company’s total price was roughly $238,000 lower than the second bid and that the town has worked with the low bidder previously. Residents urged rebids in close competitions and asked staff to justify awarding on grounds other than price if appropriate.
A council member asked staff to include the budget line on future procurement resolutions; a finance staffer (Brian Krauss) confirmed pool chemical costs are budgeted in the pools/youth line this year. Several residents asked the town to provide invoice backups and to follow up on the red flags identified by the independent audit.
Board members approved the procurement motions at the meeting but did not announce a staff follow‑up schedule for Philipsky’s specific claims; residents requested more detailed documentation on savings and invoice reconciliations.
