Saugus board votes for financial audit

SAUGUS – Scott Crabtree, Chairman of the Saugus Board of Selectmen, said the board found some “inconsistencies and irregularities” with some of the town’s finances, and will bring in an outside auditor to investigate further.The decision to hire an auditor was made Tuesday night after a long executive session. Selectman Stephen Horlick made the motion to hire an auditor and it passed unanimously.”We’re going to pick an auditor and get the scope of the audit,” said Horlick. “Once the report is done then we’ll review it and the board will come out and act on the audit.”Crabtree said the board made the decision based on “reports and information put together by department heads,” but declined to state specifically what sort of irregularities were found.”We’re waiting to get information and that’s as far as we’re willing to release at this time,” said Crabtree on Wednesday. “It’s in relation to the financials and some of the accounts. It’s more about the overall finances and expenditures.”Selectmen Michael Serino and Steve Castinetti declined to comment on the nature of the financial issues.”It was all in executive session,” said Serino.Former Town Manager Andrew Bisignani said in the nine years he served as Town Manager he had nine audits performed.”I made sure the fiscal year 2011 audit was complete and I didn’t see anything in the audit,” said Bisignani. “The last nine years in Saugus were very difficult times. There was a significant lack of financial resources, but the audit reports were completed and discussed and I don’t know what (the board) is referring to.”Town Counsel and Temporary Town Manager John Vasapolli said he has seen no evidence of any illegal activities and said the situation is “not at all” similar to the library, where a former library administrative assistant is accused of stealing more than $800,000.”There’s no evidence of any money missing,” said Vasapolli. “I had no such information. It’s past inconsistencies prior to my getting in there. It was part of the transition team and information brought forward by the town accountant and town treasurer.”Vasapolli said the auditor will review the books, check expenses and salaries and “get a handle on things in the town’s finances.””I think it’s probably prudent for the new manager to come in and get an idea of where things are and understand what condition the books are in,” said Vasapolli.Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian said he “commended” the board for its vote.”I’m delighted to hear that the Board of Selectmen have decided to hire an auditor who is different from the one the Town Manager has been hiring,” said Manoogian. “In particular, it’s important that whoever the next Town Manager is, they have a clean slate to work with.”Town Meeting member Sean Maltais said the Charter Committee he was on several years ago tried to bring in an outside auditor to look at the town’s finances but failed, and noted any audit, no matter what the result, will be a good thing.”I hope nothing comes out of it,” said Maltais. “It’s a positive thing. If there’s something wrong, we find out what’s wrong. If there’s nothing, then we’re all relieved.”Matt Tempesta may be reached at [email protected].