Crabtree readies Saugus’ answer to DOR inquiries

SAUGUS – Town Manager Scott Crabtree said the Department of Revenue has made several requirements of the town in response to the ongoing forensic audit into alleged financial violations in the town?s books.Speaking to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night, Crabtree said the DOR requested the town modify enterprise journal entries back to the general fund, provide a review of past budgets to see if a deficit exists, agree to provide monthly budget reports and look into establishing a capital improvement committee and three-person audit committee.Crabtree said he and the DOR reached the agreement after a meeting on Friday.?I felt that the meeting was constructive and informative,” said Crabtree. “DOR is committed to working with us and establishing financial transparency and stability. Part of what we have to do is follow municipal finance law and follow best practices.”Crabtree went on to say that deficits moving forward will be “quite severe.”?We?re talking in the $3 million-plus range,” said Crabtree.In other business, the board voted unanimously to issue a warning to Angela?s Coal Fired Pizza on Route 1 for liquor license violations and to suspend its liquor license for one day, which will be held in abeyance for one year pending any further violations. Among the violations found were the town?s liquor laws were not on-site, and its liquor license and drinking and driving laws were not posted properly.The board also approved a permit for a barber shop called Razor?s Edge at 304 Lincoln Ave.Crabtree also updated the board on a sidewalk re-paving project near Winter and Chestnut streets where he said a woman fell and sustained “serious injuries to her mouth.”?We saved money by doing it in-house and we have some very talented people at the DPW,” said Crabtree. “This is one of the models that we want to move toward.”The board voted to continue a hearing on the status of former library interim director Ewa Jankowska to tonight at 6:30 p.m.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].