March 28, 2024
Letter

Address town problem

A year ago June, I wrote in response to a letter from a former town manager blasting the citizens who pointed out a misuse of public funds amounting to a few hundred dollars. It was difficult for me to understand that such a paltry amount made it OK. I questioned how much it took to require action. Well, I have found out that it has to be more than $200,000.

We are again questioning accounting practices. Involved are the following:

. a tax anticipatory note of $75,000 not posted causing an apparent cash flow problem;

. the “borrowing” a of $100,000 bequeath to cover the cash flow problem – forgetting that the citizens had voted it could not be touched without a special town meeting giving permission;

. books closed in March – no financial statements done since;

. bank statements not reconciled for many months, hence the missing deposit was not found;

. the co-mingling of another $35,000 bequeath with town funds;

. using the tree growth amount from the previous year by mistake when figuring taxes.

When residents asked for a meeting with the town auditor present to answer questions, they are called mean spirited, accusatory and the treasurer is called an exceptional town employee. I would have a problem running my home budget without balancing my bank statements monthly, knowing what bills were paid and how much I had to pay the rest of them. Am I alone in thinking we have a major problem in our town that needs to be addressed not glossed over?

Lois E. Stevens

Surry


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