Following a period of financial confusion, the Aquinnah selectmen this week accepted the resignations of the town accountant and treasurer. Kimberly Brown, who was hired last year, submitted her letter of resignation in March. Peter Graczykowski, the town treasurer and human resources director, announced a short time later that he would resign to take another job. Both were part-time positions.
Mr. Graczykowski will become director of finance for the Dukes County sheriff’s office, a full-time position. His last day in Aquinnah is expected to be next week. Ms. Brown, who lives in Bellingham, left her position on Friday. She will continue working as assistant treasurer and accountant for the town of Walpole, a position she held simultaneously while working in Aquinnah.
Selectmen formally approved the resignations at their meeting Wednesday. Spencer Booker thanked Mr. Graczykowski for his service and wished him well. “Though your tenure here has been short, it has certainly been sweet,” he said. “And you’ve done a lot of great work for us over your time here.”
Selectman James Newman, who did not attend the meeting, said earlier in the week that Mr. Graczykowski had decided to leave when he was offered the job at the county. “He’s a young guy, he has a family and he had our support in making the decision,” Mr. Newman said.
Ms. Brown’s resignation letter states that an illness in the family had made it impossible for her to be in Aquinnah once a week as required for the job. “I offered to come twice a month but would not be coming weekly,” she wrote. The selectmen accepted her resignation on March 27, according to the letter, and gave her seven days of leave so she could be with her family.
David Grab of Middleborough will serve as interim accountant.
The resignations came about three months after voters decided to transfer $59,474 from the town stabilization fund to make up for a budget shortfall discovered in December. At the time, town officials cited several causes of the shortfall: a short-term borrowing note that was paid off too soon, a drop in revenue from town receipts and fewer people paying their back taxes compared to the previous year.
A few weeks after the vote, the town took out a $700,000 short-term loan to cover end-of-year expenses, since the third and fourth quarter tax bills had been delayed by the shortfall. At the same time, the Department of Revenue had recommended a limited-scope audit of the town’s accounting and treasury departments. The selectmen approved both measures in February. Ms. Brown also had suggested the audit, which is still underway.
Final tax bills were sent out this winter, with payment due by May 1. Mr. Graczykowski said Tuesday that with a “steady stream” of payments so far, the town would not need to use the short-term loan. “We are expecting to pay it off early,” he said. “The town will not know how the year will close until after it closes. However, the revenues are coming in as expected.”
The town is looking for a new accountant to work 30 hours a week and a new treasurer and human resources director to work 25 hours. Both positions come with benefits.
Inquiries will be accepted until Wednesday, April 22.
Comments (3)
Comments
Comment policy »