Audit cites errors in Guilford's town hall project
GUILFORD – An audit conducted by the New York State Comptroller’s office concluded that the Guilford town board did not provide sufficient oversight over the town hall building project.
According to the audit report, the amount spent on the project was $554,000 more than the approved amount of $1.65 million. In addition, the comptroller’s office could not find adequate documentation verifying the quality of work and cited problems such as a crack in the highway garage floor and leaks in the ceiling of the town hall.
Additionally, the board neglected General Municipal Law by purchasing gas from a station owned by Highway Superintendent Robert Fleming, which constituted a conflict of interest.
The NYS Comptroller’s office recommended the town increase oversight on any future projects as well as verify all construction projects for safety and quality assurance. Also, it was recommended that the board “establish and implement controls” to ensure that the town does not enter into any contracts with anyone who has a prohibited interest.
In response to the audit, Supervisor George Seneck said that although he supported the board’s decision, the town would comply with all recommendations.
“We were aware that we were over budget ... a number of things contributed to that, including the price of steel going up 40 percent and an increase in the cost of fuel and oil,” said Seneck. “The garage was completed, but the town hall was only a shell ... we had enough money in reserve, and it wasn’t worthwhile to not get the building up.”
Seneck explained the additional funds came from three places. Approximately $347,000 was left in the town’s building reserve fund and $63,000 was provided from FEMA in 2006 as part of a building relocation grant. The rest of the money, said Seneck, came from sales tax and surplus revenue in the budget.
“There were a few things we had to cut out of the project such as cold storage and a salt shed,” said Seneck. “We still have [approximately] $92,000 held in building reserve, but we’ll have to wait on any other construction.”
In regards to the conflict of interest, Seneck said it was not cost efficient to purchase gas from another location so the town would move to purchase its own gas storage tank. He said he expects all bids to be presented to the town board at the March meeting.
Seneck said the crack in the floor had been inspected and the contractor concluded it was “normal and extended the warranty on his work.”
According to the audit report, the amount spent on the project was $554,000 more than the approved amount of $1.65 million. In addition, the comptroller’s office could not find adequate documentation verifying the quality of work and cited problems such as a crack in the highway garage floor and leaks in the ceiling of the town hall.
Additionally, the board neglected General Municipal Law by purchasing gas from a station owned by Highway Superintendent Robert Fleming, which constituted a conflict of interest.
The NYS Comptroller’s office recommended the town increase oversight on any future projects as well as verify all construction projects for safety and quality assurance. Also, it was recommended that the board “establish and implement controls” to ensure that the town does not enter into any contracts with anyone who has a prohibited interest.
In response to the audit, Supervisor George Seneck said that although he supported the board’s decision, the town would comply with all recommendations.
“We were aware that we were over budget ... a number of things contributed to that, including the price of steel going up 40 percent and an increase in the cost of fuel and oil,” said Seneck. “The garage was completed, but the town hall was only a shell ... we had enough money in reserve, and it wasn’t worthwhile to not get the building up.”
Seneck explained the additional funds came from three places. Approximately $347,000 was left in the town’s building reserve fund and $63,000 was provided from FEMA in 2006 as part of a building relocation grant. The rest of the money, said Seneck, came from sales tax and surplus revenue in the budget.
“There were a few things we had to cut out of the project such as cold storage and a salt shed,” said Seneck. “We still have [approximately] $92,000 held in building reserve, but we’ll have to wait on any other construction.”
In regards to the conflict of interest, Seneck said it was not cost efficient to purchase gas from another location so the town would move to purchase its own gas storage tank. He said he expects all bids to be presented to the town board at the March meeting.
Seneck said the crack in the floor had been inspected and the contractor concluded it was “normal and extended the warranty on his work.”
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