Wiscasset selectmen heard from their auditor, the firm of William Brewer III, Tuesday night. The firm outlined completed parts. William and Fred Brewer appeared at the selectmen’s request because the audit, which, according to the town treasurer, ideally should have been completed last August, was not yet finished.

Among issues the audit is expected to identify is the location and amount of funds that should have been transferred to the schools’ account. The school audit suggests a $1.1 million shortfall, a figure the town disputes; the town’s audit has not yet showed conclusively where the funds are. Another issue is the amount of money in the town’s fund balance.

Because the audit was not completed last summer, selectmen did not know how much was in their unallocated fund balance when they decided to take about $600,000 from the surplus and put it toward tax relief.  The audit currently shows that as of June 30, the town’s unallocated fund balance will have $37,000 in it. Tax money will take time to come in, so the $37,000 may be all the town has in case of emergencies or unexpected expenses until the funds begin to come in.

Town treasurer Vernice Boyce voiced frustration with the delay. “In a perfect world, we would have had last year’s audit in August of last year,” she said. “Then we would have known what portion of the surplus could have gone to tax relief.” She said there is a little time to make those choices, “as long as we get this audit finished.”

William Brewer said it was his goal to have the audit completed by the next selectmen’s meeting, and he recommended a workshop for selectmen. Fred Brewer said he did not want to bore the audience. “Oh, we’re not bored,” came a voice from the back of the meeting room.

“No, they’re not bored,” Town Manager Marian Anderson said. “They’re taxpayers and they’re concerned.”

Selectman Ben Rines Jr. had a question about debt relief in the audit documents submitted so far. “It says our debt service is $228,000, but we only paid $59,000,” he said. “Why wouldn’t we have paid the whole thing?”

Anderson said Wiscasset must have paid the whole thing, or the banks would have been calling.

Selectmen’s Chair Judy Colby also expressed frustration with the auditors. When she asked about the unallocated fund balance, William Brewer said they often heard questions like that from selectmen who had no experience in finance or accounting. Colby said she did have a background that included accounting.

Anderson said that due to the delay, it was necessary to contact the Department of Education, or else it was possible funds would have been withheld. The auditors did not respond to the comment.

School committee member Jason Putnam asked if the auditors were admitting there is $1.1 million somewhere in the town’s funds that belongs to the schools. Before Brewer could fully respond, Boyce cut him off and said the town was not agreeing the sum missing was $1.1 million.  After the meeting, Colby suggested it was closer to $350,000, but nothing would be definitely known until the audit was complete.

The selectmen heard a presentation by Warren Waltz of Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service about its proposal to take over the town’s ambulance service. The proposal includes $175,000 per year for the first two years, with a $50,000 proposal to purchase the new ambulance over two years. The town has budgeted for ambulance service in the FY 2018 budget. The select board made it clear during budget negotiations it was possible that at some point after the town meeting, the town would consider the proposal. Waltz said CLC would take patients to Mid Coast Hospital, a question citizens had. Police Chief Jeff Lange said he has driven the ambulance when one ambulance was on another call, so that the vehicle is on site while volunteers show up. He was not certain it would be permitted if the contract was given away. Anderson said she would look into it, but Waltz said in such a case, another ambulance from CLC could respond if there were no EMTs available in Wiscssset.

During public comment, Seaver Leslie said Maine Department of Transportation received only one bid, and it contained a cost overrun of $1.8 million. “Can you assure the people of Wiscasset that this overrun will have no effect on the scope of the project and how it affects the town," he asked. Anderson said she would find out. Leslie pressed her to agree the town would make no agreement with MDOT until that was known.

Selectman Jeff Slack said Leslie should raise that issue at the next Public Advisory Committee meeting, set for 5 p.m. May 7.

The town filed two stipulations for dismissal April 26, exiting two lawsuits. The Wawenock LLC vs. MDOT lawsuit, in which the town is a party at interest, will have oral arguments before the State Supreme Judicial Court May 15. Anderson said the town did not plan to participate.