Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Selectmen explain disputed $3,000 treasurer payment after public questions
Summary
Residents questioned a $3,000 payroll payment to the treasurer while she was on leave; board members said the warrant had been approved and later discussed and accepted the payment because the treasurer could not repay it, and they pledged to clarify ledger entries and certification steps.
Multiple residents raised questions about a $3,000 payment that went to the town treasurer while she was out of the office with a back injury. Commenters asked whether a single selectman had authority to approve the payment and whether the town had budget authority to make the payment.
Select Board member John Medici explained the board had reviewed payroll warrants, discovered what appeared to be a double payment, and discussed the matter with the treasurer. Medici said the board initially approved a paycheck that, in retrospect, "we all missed it" and later found an additional payment; after discussion the board accepted that the treasurer could not reasonably repay the funds and instructed staff not to pursue collection. Medici said, "We approved it. No, I know. It's We don't — That part the whole town. She got $3,000 out of us. Okay? But we approved it."
Other board members confirmed the town’s budget and warrant processes were under review; the board said some entries were being rechecked and that certification by the moderator or clerk remained pending in places where votes and wording were unclear. The board asked staff to verify ledger postings and to resolve how future payroll warrants will be certified and posted.
Next steps: staff will verify the payroll warrants, ledger accounts and certification status and report back to the board.
