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Selectboard weighs BSNA software issues, audit work and steep revenue shortfall
Summary
Staff and selectmen described problems integrating revenues into the town’s BSNA financial module, a forensic audit to reconcile posting gaps, and a cited revenue loss after a large commercial fleet registration moved away (an estimated $560,000); members warned the default budget and depleted capital reserves could limit snow response and equipment replacement.
Town finance staff told the Selectboard the recent BSNA software training revealed gaps between what the town purchased and the functionality needed to integrate receivables and revenues. Officials said the vendor sold a light module that does not tie all revenue streams into the finance system, creating a reliance on spreadsheets and manual journal entries.
Members and staff said auditors have completed initial work and identified posting gaps. The board described a plan for a forensic review of the past 18 months of transactions to reconstitute proper records and to correct chart‑of‑accounts entries. Staff proposed creating backups for accounts payable and payroll and hiring part‑time help to reduce single‑person dependencies in critical financial operations.
Board members also cited a large, recent revenue loss tied to a commercial fleet that stopped registering in town; a figure of about $560,000 was discussed as an example of lost revenue that, combined with statutory default‑budget adjustments, leaves the town with less margin for operations.
Selectmen warned that depleted capital reserve funds and a constrained default budget could have operational consequences: delayed vehicle and equipment replacement, constrained winter salt or overtime budgets, and reduced training for the fire department. Staff and committee members said they will produce monthly or meeting‑by‑meeting reports from BSNA after the forensic posting work is completed so the board can track revenues and expenditures more regularly.
The board asked staff to pursue the forensic reconciliation, consult auditors for best‑practice posting procedures, and return with recommendations on staffing and software upgrades before the next major budget decisions.
