DOR threatens to deny Westport access to certified free cash

WESTPORT — It looks as though Town Meeting in May will be able to use certified free cash this fiscal year, despite doubts that the state Department of Revenue would allow it, according to Town Administrator Timothy King and Town Accountant Terry Provencal.

These officials shared this good news last week with the Finance Committee but then the bad news came — the treasurer’s office appears to be behind again with reconciling monthly financial records. That issue, likewise, led to the state DOR threatening the town with not allowing Westport to access certified free cash.

This issue led to the town in December hiring Certified Public Accountant Erik Kinserf for $65,000. It also has fueled officials to look at petitioning the state Legislature — via a Town Meeting article — for a recall initiative that could remove Town Treasurer Brad Brightman.

There is a petition article on the May Town Meeting warrant that will ask voters for a “no confidence vote” in the treasurer.

The issue has also fueled interest in a question on the April 9 Town Election ballot. An affirmative vote would ratify a Town Meeting vote from last year that would transform the treasurer post to a selectmen appointed position.

If that ballot succeeds, Brightman could still spend another year as the Town Treasurer.

The Finance Committee and Selectmen Chairwoman Shana Shufelt discussed that possibility.

Finance Committee Vice Chairman Karen Raus said that Brightman and the assistant treasurer were supposed to receive training from Kinserf on how to reconcile monthly records. Both were charged with October 2018 to the present, but that work has not been completed.

Brightman did not return an email seeking comment.

“The consultant (Kinserf) has taken him out of the hole and put him at ground level. There is now another hole that is starting to develop and that is all in the hands of the treasurer,” Raus said.

Citing her three decades experience in public finances, Raus added, “This, by far professionally, is the most difficult situation I have ever encountered. I don’t even know what to say. There is nothing I can do or say that can expedite this. I am just at my end of my rope.”

The selectmen agreed to take $10,000 in professional services funding from the selectmen budget to finance more help to the treasurer’s office in fiscal 2020. Shufelt last week told the Finance Committee that she believes even more funding should go toward that effort.

Shufelt and Fincom members last week expressed interest in rehiring Kinserf periodically over the next year to account for any financial holes.

Despite these proceedings, Brightman met with selectmen in February and said he is developing policies to help his department succeed. He said he has come up with more than 40 policies and procedures, which he referred to as a “matrix.”

He also said the he and his staff have completed self-assessments; he says he has networked with other treasures, and has attended state training for municipal treasurers and collectors.

Brightman expressed confidence that once Kinserf completes his consultant work and has helped the treasurer's office reconcile financial records, the department will be in good shape.

He has attributed the financial issues to an undermanned staff.