The Board of Selectmen Wednesday unanimously authorized acting Tax Collector Sharon Scinto to correct any discrepancies discovered during an audit and ongoing investigation of that department.
The move was needed because some residents had their tax payments erased from the record, First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers said.
Residents have been reporting they received delinquent notices on tax bills they already paid.
Officials are not saying how many people had their payments erased.
Drayton-Rogers said because of the ongoing investigation into Tax Collector Karen Guillet, she could not comment on the dollar amount of the voided tax payments.
Guillet was placed on paid sick leave Jan.13 following an anonymous report of money allegedly missing from her office. A message seeking comment was left at her home Thursday.
Drayton-Rogers recently filed a complaint with state police and an internal audit has been given to the authorities.
Guillet has since refused her sick pay and hired a lawyer.
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The Selectmen authorization Wednesday allows the interim tax collector to validate payments and make corrections. The actions require the signatures of two town officials.
Drayton-Rogers said other co-signers would be the assistant tax collector, Finance Director Jim Hliva, or a member of the Board of Selectmen.
“This is something slightly outside of the normal activities of that office,” she said. “Therefore there will be another person involved in the process.”
Selectman Dave McKane said it is a good idea to have “two sets of eyes and ears” on the situation.
A listing of the adjustments will be turned over to town auditors and state police.
Drayton-Rogers appointed Town Clerk Margaret Potts-West to make deposits for the tax office. A committee has been formed to review the tax collector’s policies and procedures.
“Hopefully our actions will fall in line with the committee’s recommendations,” she said.
