Selectmen offer Haines the accountant's job

The Ashburnham Selectmen voted unanimously to offer Nancy Haines the position of the town accountant on Monday, Dec. 15, less than a week after interviewing Haines and two other residents.

Haines, the Ashby town accountant, is being offered the 25 hour a week position that has become vacant with the departure of accountant James Shanahan. Shanahan has already served out his tenure in the position but is working on a consultant's contract until the end of the month.

Selectman Christopher Gagnon said in his reference checks on Haines, she was described as "hard working," "keeps her nose to the grind stone," and as someone "who knows her stuff."

Earlier this year, Ashby lost more than $350,000 when the company that was supposed to make ambulance they ordered went bankrupt. Gagnon said he knew something about what happened but wanted to check with Woollacott about the issue.

Gagnon said in his conversation that Woollacott brought the subject up and that Haines had warned Selectmen not to purchase that ambulance.

"She had spoken out against it," Gagnon said. "(Woollacott) told me, 'If Nancy tells you something, listen, do not be like me.'"

Town Administrator Kevin Paicos said he suggested that Selectmen call Haines immediately to offer her the position, and have her submit an initial proposal for employment. Paicos said the Selectmen could review that and then meet with Haines to negotiate any details.

The other two candidates interviewed were Wendy Graves, the treasurer/assistant collector in Princeton, and Justin Cole, the town accountant in Uxbridge.

Cole pulled out of consideration but Whitney had conducted the reference checks Cole and said they were "glowing."

All of the three candidates were looking to supplement their current jobs.

In other business:

• The Selectmen reviewed the revenue and expense forecast for the current fiscal year and asked a few question of Paicos. They may hold a special meeting on Monday, Dec. 22, to further discuss the matter and will decide on that later this week.

• Selectmen voted unanimously to keep the same outside auditors for a fourth year but decided not to renew for a fifth or sixth year at this time.

-Selectmen also heard updates on the progress of the town departments on the cleanup of the storm and other aftermath issues. The Board members thanked the department heads and their staffs for the work they have done during the weekend.