This is in response to a comment from Anonymous. While I appreciate any constructive input, it's easy to criticize without attribution. There's no consequences in anonymity. There's no courage either. That having been said...
Yes, the professional management in Town Hall failed. How could our town officials miss it? Simple. We relied on our paid professionals and colleagues to do the right thing. We asked questions but there were always answers. We were too trusting, unwary, and unsuspicious. As for admitting our responsibility. Some of us have. Sam Wakeman, the Advisory Board & I apologized publicly. Silence from others. Just circling the wagons and finger pointing.
It's important to know what happened and who did it. It's more important to fix it and make sure it never happens again. So what's being done? Evaluation of personnel, processes and procedures in the Finance Department were initiated immediately by our Interim Town Manager who hired an independent, qualified, objective accountant to assist him in sorting out what can only be described as a mare's nest.
Where do we go from here? Once the audit is completed, we deal with the financial consequences. It's not going to be easy but it has to be done. With a new Town Accountant on board we will be able to correct deficiencies and create processes and procedures that meet state and professional standards and result in an efficient and accurate accounting of the Town's business.
To my credit, my goal as a selectman was and is to examine the existing structure of town government and the budget. I built coalitions but town government is cautious, slow to accept change. Did I know the extent of this crisis? No, but my instincts were right, yet again. Some agreed with me, urging me to show leadership but the old saying is true: "you can lead a horse to water...".
I was the first, and only one for a long time, to insist on an independent forensic audit of the water/sewer enterprise funds, and, to date, I am the only one to publicly call for the resignation of the 'old' water commissioners.
Creating a utility superintendent isn't wrong. ( proposed reorganization of water sewer ) What is wrong is not admitting the failures of our existing system, clinging to the status quo, and refusing to make the changes necessary to ensure Cohasset's financial future out of fear and/or misplaced loyalty.
Elected terms end but when the people elect candidates who put friendships and vested interests before the best interests of the town as a whole we all lose for these are not leaders, they're politicians.
ADDENDUM 12/19Boston Globe: Official Aims to Combine Public Works
2 comments:
Well said Karen! I can only imagine the mess that has been found in the accountants office. I harken back to stopping in that office for whatever reason. I would look in amazement at the piles of paperwork, ledgers, spreadsheets, and trash on the floor in there. It looked like a nuclear bomb went off. That should have been my first clue that the peoples business was not being handled correctly. People became entrenched and comfortable. Time to start over. Where is Pratt's resignation?
I am been led to uderstand that the water commissioners want to be the go-between between the special water auditor and American Water.
Do the water commissioners (WC) have any understanding of the law and that the auditor has to be free to gather his facts, without a water commission spin?
The WC's collective poor behavior is costing us a fortune.
Karen - you are doing an outstanding job. I can't even imagine the board without you. I hope you'll run for a second term.
Have a good holiday - I touch base with you in January.
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