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Library trustees warn audit delay could cost town multiple grants including $308,000 HUD proposal
Summary
Library trustees told the Select Board that a delayed town audit may already have jeopardized a $350 summer‑reading grant, a $683 courier grant and a $308,000 HUD public‑facilities preservation application, and asked the board to provide audit documentation or a conditional letter for funders.
Library trustees Paul Romonelli and Shivan McDermott told the Jamaica Select Board that several library grant applications may be at risk because the town's audit for the relevant fiscal year is not yet complete.
Trustees said Madeline prepared three applications: a noncompetitive $350 summer‑reading grant, a $683 courier‑services grant, and a one‑time HUD public‑facilities preservation grant seeking roughly $308,000 for maintenance and repairs. Romonelli said the applications require up‑to‑date audit documentation and reported that the town's audit remains in process; trustees asked the board to consider a conditional letter or auditor confirmation to submit to funders while the audit is finalized.
The board discussed the causes of the delay—auditor scheduling and additional FEMA‑related verification tied to prior flood events—and agreed trustees should share any email correspondence from funders. Chair said involving the audit firm directly in drafting a confirming or conditional letter would help ensure funders accept the status update. Romonelli emphasized the uncertainty: "We don't know at this point. She may know whether this audit got finished last week, but we wanted to alert you to the fact that not only are we likely to lose all of these grants but the town will be losing other grants if this audit is not completed."
