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Canterbury selectmen approve $54,998 suspense list and budget transfers to cover clerk and inspector pay
Summary
At an abbreviated meeting, the Canterbury Board of Selectmen approved the tax collector’s annual ‘suspense list’ for uncollectible accounts (21 accounts totaling about $54,997.72) and authorized two transfers—the board moved $115,000 to the town-clerk payroll line and $3,950 to the building-inspector line.
The Canterbury Board of Selectmen approved the town tax collector’s annual suspense list and authorized two line‑item budget transfers during an abbreviated meeting convened to handle urgent year‑end items.
Natalie, the town clerk and tax collector, told the board the suspense list contains accounts deemed uncollectible that must be written off from accounts receivable. "The suspense list every year is basically those accounts that are deemed uncollectible and it's an accounting tool so that it comes off what we need to collect and it gets written off on the accounts receivable side," Natalie said. She reported the list this year includes 21 accounts totaling approximately $54,997.72; those accounts are described as current‑year (2022) cases such as deceased taxpayers, a bankruptcy, and liabilities tied to toxic‑waste sites.
Board members discussed the town’s use of collection agencies and noted the agencies are paid a percentage of whatever they collect. Natalie said she has been exercising collection options before placing accounts on the suspense list and that some accounts remain on suspense for up to 15 years before they drop off the grand list.
The board voted to accept the suspense list as presented.
Separately, the Board of Selectmen approved an urgent transfer to fund the contracted salary for the appointed town clerk. Members explained the ordinance creating a hired town clerk/tax collector took effect after the budget was adopted, leaving no line to cover the newly contracted salary; the board approved a transfer of $115,000 to the town‑clerk line from the Highway crew overtime account to cover the shortfall.
The board also approved a smaller transfer after identifying a budgeting omission for the building inspector, Rob Kerr. Officials said Kerr’s pay had not been updated in the budget to reflect a bargaining‑unit bump; the board approved a transfer of $3,950 to the building‑inspector line from Highway crew overtime to make the line whole.
Board members agreed to remove two agenda items—an audit‑findings discussion and additional documents from the fire department—from tonight’s agenda so those topics could return with fuller panels and materials. There were no public comments. The meeting adjourned at about 7:35 p.m.
What happens next: The suspense list and transfers were approved for accounting purposes; the board said the removed audit and fire items would be rescheduled when fuller materials or personnel are available.
