Meetings Ahead
Most meetings in Wellfleet are remote only, but some are held in person. Go to www.wellfleet-ma.gov/calendar and click on the meeting you want to watch, then follow the instructions on the agenda.
Thursday, Dec. 14
- Cape Cod Commission, 3 p.m. Mary Pat Flynn Conference Room, Barnstable County Complex
- Herring River Executive Council, 3 p.m.
- Commission on Disabilities, 3 p.m.
- Select Board, 6 p.m.
- Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m., Adult Community Center and Zoom
Tuesday, Dec. 19
- Select Board, 6 p.m., Adult Community Center and Zoom
Wednesday, Dec. 20
- Conservation Commission, 4 p.m., Town Hall basement conference room and Zoom
Conversation Starter
New Year, Same Powers & Sullivan
The select board unanimously voted to execute a one-year contract with the auditing firm Powers & Sullivan to perform the town’s fiscal 2023 audit.
The town had invited bids in hopes of contracting a new municipal auditor last year. It received one response, from Powers & Sullivan, which has been the town’s auditing firm for 27 years.
Town Administrator Rich Waldo recommended that the board renew the firm’s contract for another year, citing his worry that the firm might again be the only one to respond.
“They are well versed in the prior deficiencies, particularly the internal control issues that have been identified in the past,” Waldo told the board during its Dec. 5 meeting.
Waldo also said that a new bidding process could potentially delay the completion of the 2023 audit.
Select board members expressed reservations about extending the contract for another year.
“We need to try and solicit more bids,” Michael DeVasto said. “That said, we are in the middle of addressing internal controls and issues that were brought forward by them.”
Ryan Curley referenced a recommendation from the Dept. of Revenue’s report last year that suggested hiring a new auditing firm every three years.
“They have been the town’s auditors for well outside the normal bounds,” Curley said.
Waldo said that the town could have the option next year to solicit a contract from a different firm if going out to bid is unsuccessful. The one-year contract with Powers & Sullivan is for $25,000, according to Waldo. The firm is expected to make a presentation on the fiscal 2022 audit in January, he said. —Sam Pollak
