Huntington Selectmen meet with members of the Board of Health on Wednesday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
HUNTINGTON – At Wednesday’s Select Board meeting, the selectmen, including Jeffrey McKittrick, John McVeigh and Ed Renauld, spoke to the town’s tax collector, treasurer and Board of Health about how to establish a no cash policy for payments to the town. Renauld said it was a question of security.
McKittrick said they would like to avoid some of the problems others towns have had going into the future. Last month, LeeAnn Thompson, a former tax collector from the town of Blandford was indicted by a Hampden County Grand Jury for allegedly stealing $150,000 from the town from 2006 to 2011, much of it from cash payments.
“Let’s take it out of the equation,” McVeigh said.
Aimee Burnham, treasurer and Andrea McKittrick, tax collector both said some people prefer to pay in cash.
Burnham said if the town went to no cash, her process would not change at all. She said timely turnovers from other departments were more of a concern for her.
McKittrick said the auditors have approved their system of recording cash payments, which recently went to triplicate receipts at the auditors’ suggestion. She said she will encourage people to make payments in other ways.
Members of the Board of Health, who oversee the town’s transfer station were also told that the town would like customers to pay by check.
“Are you suggesting that we don’t sell $1 stickers at the transfer station,” asked Board member Melissa Iglesias. Renauld said he wanted to know what they thought. Previously, the stickers weren’t available at the transfer station, but they are now selling well.
Board of Health secretary Katie Boisseau said that she agreed there were too many cash transactions and not enough security. McVeigh said he would look into alternatives for cash, such as a revolving card system or credit card machines. Selectmen said they would also consider a night deposit box for Town Hall.
In other business, Board of Health member Thomas Hart said concrete pads were needed under the trash compactors, which he said were sinking into the ground. He estimated the cost at $10,000. Renauld said the cost should be included in the budget for next year, but Hart said they shouldn’t wait.
McVeigh said that steel plates from construction sites could be used under the compactors temporarily until concrete could be installed.
Richard Buley, town accountant was asked if there were enough money in the Board of Health accounts for the project. Buley said the Board of Health did have $6,000 in a special projects account which could be used for that purpose.
Renauld said they should use that fund, rather than raise and appropriate it in next year’s budget. He said although the town is doing better than it was, he would like to try not to raise taxes for residents next year.
