Selectmen discuss audit and Freedom of Information Act

KENT —The Board of Selectmen revisited the issue of mishandled funds by former administrative assistant and assistant treasurer Tina Agard during a meeting on Tuesday, July 1.  

First Selectman Ruth Epstein said she has been in contact with town Auditor Mike Zemitis to discuss whether an audit is necessary and how much it will cost. The figures vary between $500 and $25,000, depending on the areas that the selectmen would like to have looked at.

The Board of Finance  also will be meeting to discuss the issue further.

Selectman Vince LaFontan continued to ask for greater controls over the way that the town books are handled, even more so now that this issue has come up.

The selectmen also have been told that two selectmen must sign any check before it goes to the town treasurer for a third signature.

A criminal investigation by the state police at Troop L in Litchfield is underway to examine Agard’s conduct while she was employed in the two jobs.

The full details of the investigation have not been revealed but First Selectman Ruth Epstein said at a meeting June 24 that there had been misuse of the town’s credit card and that payments were made to the administrative assistant before any work had actually been performed.

The selectmen went into executive session during the June 24 meeting to discuss the situation and the job description and policies that will govern the assistant treasurer’s position in the future.

Several town residents were unhappy that the matter was discussed  in executive session, which is closed to the press and the public. It is, however, legal to do so, according to state Freedom of Information laws, because the board members were discussing a personnel issue.

Since then, there have been some requests for a public hearing.

Epstein said that the selectmen have always planned on holding a public hearing in the fall to address whatever concerns town residents have.

The selectmen agreed that a workshop explaining the Freedom of Information Act would be a good idea, so that they could all educate themselves more thoroughly.

“I think it is a great idea,� said Epstein. “I will be inviting the other boards and commissions to attend as well.�