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Williamstown audit finds gaps in federal-grant policies; board given drafts to adopt
Summary
An audit by the Vermont Department of Public Safety found seven compliance issues in Williamstown’s handling of federal disaster funds; town manager and treasurer submitted draft Purchasing, Conflict-of-Interest, Grant Management, and Inventory policies and must file additional documents by March 6, 2026.
The Williamstown Selectboard heard on Feb. 9 that a state audit of the town’s handling of FEMA and other federal awards from the 2023–24 floods identified seven compliance issues tied to policy wording and documentation. Town Manager Ryan told the board he and Treasurer Jenn Allard submitted draft versions of a Purchasing Policy, Conflict-of-Interest Policy, a new Grant Management Policy and an Inventory Policy to the Vermont Department of Public Safety and that the auditor recommended the town adopt them.
Ryan said the audit requires additional financial filings to be submitted by March 6, 2026, to complete the review. "We had some more financial documents to file by March 6, 2026, to complete the audit," he said. The primary shortfall noted by auditors was the absence of specific procurement and conflict-of-interest language that explicitly addressed the handling of federal funds and the application of Davis-Bacon rules when federal contract thresholds are met.
Board members discussed compliance with Davis-Bacon wage rules for federally funded in-house projects and agreed the new policies should clarify those requirements. The Selectboard will review the draft policies included in member packets and consider formal adoption at a future meeting. The town manager said adopting the policies and filing the required documents will make future federal funding easier to audit and reduce the risk of noncompliance.
