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Townshend treasurer resigns; new treasurer search and timing issue explain highway fund shortfall
Summary
Treasurer Alicia resigned citing full‑time work conflicts; her interim report said the town is audited and not in bad standing and described a roughly $311,000 negative highway fund balance as a timing issue owing to early payments for roadwork and pending grant reimbursements.
Alicia, the town treasurer, informed the Select Board she must resign because her full‑time employer required a choice; she provided a high‑level financial report based on the 2025 budget the board had adopted. "The town is not in bad standing and is not being misrepresented," Alicia said, adding that the report is intended as a high‑level, understandable recap rather than a line‑by‑line audit.
When asked about a roughly $311,000 negative balance in the highway fund, Alicia explained it was a timing issue: large roadwork had been paid earlier and grant reimbursements had not yet been received. "There was major road work that was paid early, and we have grant reimbursements that haven't come in yet," she said. Board members discussed that revenues received might be temporarily recorded in the general fund and then allocated to highway, which could create a transient negative figure in the highway ledger.
The Select Board thanked Alicia for her volunteer service and agreed to contact NEMRC/NIMRIC to finalize a job posting to appoint someone to fill the treasurer vacancy until the next election or as allowed by statute; the board reviewed the appointment process and said it would not appoint tonight. Alicia offered continued volunteer assistance and to respond to follow‑up questions by email as the board pursues a transition plan.
