Letter to the Editor: 'Very Concerned' About Town Government and Budget

To the Editor:

An open letter to the Wenham Board of Selectmen:

After attending [Saturday's] Town Meeting, I am very concerned about our town's government and budget.

I took more notes today than I have in the prior five years. I would like to describe my concerns in the order in which they arose at the meeting:

1. Town Administrator - it appears that there is a discrepancy in the number of hours in work weeks for our employees. Some employees are billing 52 hours and some are billing 52.2. The discussion led me to believe this is simply an accounting error and will be corrected. This would not be much of an issue if it was the only accounting problem.

2. Reserve Fund - there is currently only $5,500 in the Reserve Account. This seems to be a very low balance. I am curious as to what the balance is historically at this point in the fiscal year.

3. Assessors - the budget was short $779 due to an accounting issue. Again, on its own, not a big deal, but accounting issues seemed to be a theme throughout the meeting.

4. Finance Director - outsourcing may save money for the town, but I would like to see the difference between what we've paid vs. a full-time salaried Finance Director. Given some of the issues raised today, I am in favor of returning to Finance Director. I am very concerned about the revenue items that are known to be overstated, the tax bills that have been found to be in error, delays in processing tax payments, questions about reconciling our books, and a feeling that we would be better served by a trusted individual in that position.

5. Mark Andrews comments
A. the decision to outsource our finances were made under duress. This may be true, but have we looked for qualified candidates. There are many out of work finance professionals. I don't believe we'd find a lack of candidates.
B. bond rating still stable - bond ratings look backward. The ramifications of today's decisions could very easily impact that rating. Ratings are difficult to raise, but more easily lowered.
C. No audit will be done until we're caught up. I'm not sure what we need to catch up on, but this is troubling.
D. Will the DoR approve our tax rate/budget. I'm fearful that we will not have proper revenue given the CoA and library funding from Hamilton, cemetery transfer issue, and tax bill errors. This will all go to either our rate (already one of the highest in the Commonwealth) and/or assessments.
E. Town Report - can Mr. Andrews hand deliver this to my house last week, so I can review it prior to this afternoon's meeting? (slightly out of chronological order)

6. Minutes Clerk - the Clerk should have gotten a $100 raise which was missing from the budget. Again, this is an accounting issue. Too many accounting issues lead to questions of competency and possibly honesty.

7. Town Report - already addressed.

8. Cemetery Transfer - $10,000 - this seems to be an accounting trick to avoid $10,000 from hitting our tax bill. Is this simply a plug?

9. Council on Aging - Hamilton is no longer sharing services and our revenue is, therefore, overstated. My experience with the CoA is limited to my discussions with the former director regarding our beloved neighbor, JJ McCarthy. I don't know if this position should be part-time. Hamilton has decided to maintain a full-time employee. The former director was very knowledgeable and helpful. We were unable to prevent JJ's passing, though.

10. Merit Increase - I was happy to see this removed and the money put back in the reserve fund. This seems to be a poor way to negotiate with our employees - stating in the budget what our upper limit is.

11. Sandra Stolle's comment that the town should approve the new format. I completely agree, and Sandra and I rarely agree on anything.

12. Date of meeting date incorrect on Article 1 - small error, that by itself, is insignificant, but these minor errors are compounding.

I did not like the new format of voting on the budget. I hope you give serious consideration to going back to the Town approving salaries and expenses. I feel that this process works and leaves little chance of misuse of funds. I hope we don't find issues like those that have occurred in a charity that we support (Maine Island Trail) and in other local municipalities (Chelsea).

I commend the Board for moving Chief Blanchard from part-time to full-time employee. I believe, unless compelling evidence is provided, that the Finance Director should be brought back in house and funded appropriately.

I also believe that we can find a better Town Administrator. Mr. Andrews was combative, dismissive, and condescending today. I pay his salary. I don't want to pay him any longer.

I vote. I love this town. I talk to my neighbors.

My concerns will also be sent to your colleagues.

I am very interested in your response.

Sincerely,

Patrick Waddell

Great Pond Road, Wenham