WESTPORT — The words “mission accomplished” were used by a town auditor in his annual report of town financial management practices.
Tony Roselli, an auditor who monitors the town, released his annual report and recommendations to selectmen and then met with the board on Jan. 21.
This most recent report comes after consecutive years of scathing reports. One past letter even mentioned that the town could be susceptible to fraud, due to several months of unbalanced monthly records.
Roselli mentioned that unbalanced monthly financial records, some two years behind, are now behind the town. In past reports, Roselli used the term “material weakness” to characterize the treasurer department. Roselli lifted that term and lauded the work that has been done for more than a year to correct financial issues within the treasurer department.
“As of the end of 2019, the majority of the problems in that office have been corrected,” Roselli said.
Roselli said an auditing committee, comprised of eager town employees, has played a “driving role” in helping to correct town finances. A consultant last year was hired to work with the treasurer’s department. Meanwhile, Town Treasurer Brad Brightman has made improvements, officials say.
In November, Brightman received a state certificate. To obtain it, he needed three years on the job and take and pass courses. He also had to pass a board’s examination, covering such subjects as “municipal finance law, short and long term borrowing, tax title and interest calculation, cash management and numerous other subjects,” according to a release.
Roselli did have some recommendations, including a more aggressive approach toward securing grants and combining the treasurer and collector departments.
Roselli also has recommended an appointed, rather than elected treasurer. Selectmen are on the verge of appointing the first non-elected treasurer.
Brightman, an elected treasurer, will be stepping down in April when his term expires.
Selectmen recently interviewed two candidates: Vasilio “Bill” Efthimiades, a former deputy finance director in Portsmouth; and Michael Fitzpatrick, a former assistant treasurer in Somerset.
Selectmen are expected to meet in executive session at a February meeting and decide if they would like to enter into negotiations with one of the candidates.
