Wareham town accountant succeeded by private firm - SouthCoastToday.com

By ANIKA CLARK

October 22, 2011 12:00 AM

WAREHAM ? The staffing upheaval in Wareham's accounting department may soon be over.

"We've appointed a town accountant," said Town Administrator Mark Andrews Friday, after accepting the recommendation of a screening committee. "It's a business arrangement with a company who had applied through the process."

Baystate Municipal Accounting Group is headed by Justin Cole, according to Andrews, who said the company comes "very well recommended" and is experienced at the town's accounting system. Most recently available Secretary of the Commonwealth filings indicate Baystate is a Maynard-based firm and lists Cole as president, secretary, treasurer and director.

Hiring the company would fill the position vacated by Elizabeth Zaleski, who left the post after a draft audit report for fiscal 2010 found a six-figure discrepancy between the accountant's general ledger and the treasurer's cash balance. Zaleski defended herself with a lawyer who contended the town hadn't followed the proper termination process. Ultimately, the town reached a settlement with Zaleski of $42,500.

Andrews said he didn't immediately know how many candidates had applied for the position. He said the screening committee was chaired by John Foster, treasurer/collector; Ana Miranda, director of operations/finance for Wareham Public Schools; Samuel Gray of the Finance Committee; and Selectman Ellen Begley. The matter must still be put before the Board of Selectmen, which has 15 days to review it, said Andrews, who said the company would work from Town Hall.

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