Hatfield Select Board Hears Audit Concerns, Commits $617,000 in Water and Sewer Bills

HATFIELD -- September 25, 2019, Hatfield Select Board fields audit concerns and commits $617,521 in water and sewer bills. A resident identified only as Mike pressed the board during public comment on unresolved items in the fiscal year 2018 management letter, including a recurring $50,000 cash reconciliation shortfall and combined deficits of more than $200,000 across capital and special revenue accounts; Chair Luke Longstreeth said a joint review with the Finance Committee was planned for late October. The board unanimously committed water bills of $322,226.91 and sewer bills of $294,819.25, totaling $617,521.16, due November 1. Members also formally acknowledged the resignation of Fire Chief Steve Gagne, a 23-year department veteran who will remain through January 2020, and authorized a $75 fee waiver for the Hatfield Firefighters Association's one-day liquor license for the annual October 12 bonfire. The town's outside accountant has targeted October 15 to close out fiscal year 2019 and submit a full package for an audit expected in mid-to-late November.