Town names temporary treasurer

KENT —After a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the town has named Lisa Lansing as the town’s interim treasurer.

Cornwall resident Lansing previously served as Cornwall’s financial director from 1991 until last year and said she is very familiar with Kent.

“I have been a member of the Kent Singers since 1991 and I’m in town often to shop or to go to St. Andrews Church,� Lansing said. “Kent is larger than Cornwall. And the budget is much different, but that’s true with every single town in Connecticut.�

First Selectman Ruth Epstein said she has known Lansing for many years.

“I knew that when she was the financial director in Cornwall that she used the same software system [Business Management System Incorporated Software] that we use,� Epstein said. “She said she was available and willing to help us out.�

Lansing steps in two weeks after residents at a special town meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 1, approved an ordinance that makes the town’s treasurer an appointed position. A week after the meeting, Town Treasurer Fremont Besmer formally resigned. However, Besmer will stay on during Lansing’s transition; his last day is officially Saturday, Nov. 1.

Epstein said Lansing will stay on until January as the town searches for a new treasurer.

“Our search is not done yet,� Epstein said. “We will work on a job description at our next board meeting and then start the search.�

A special committee formed by the town to study the treasurer’s position previously recommended that the salary for the treasurer for fiscal year 2009-10 (beginning July 1) should be $18,040, plus $1,835 for an assistant, $4,000 for supplies and $50 for mileage.

According to a town document,  Lansing will be paid at a rate of $20 an hour. The accounting firm Robert King LLC of Winsted will be contacted on an as-needed basis.

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