Discussion Continues on Memorial Account Restructuring
The Colchester Fire Department (CFD) Board of Trustees had a full agenda at its meeting Wednesday evening, which lasted nearly 2.5 hours. At the center of the Aug. 12 meeting was an update on allegations of the misuse of money, tools and fuel by former members, as well as the status of an external audit of district finances.
At a meeting last month, Trustee Mike Weaver said the trustees and members had been going through files, with the understanding that an external audit would be recommended if the job was too unwieldy and/or discrepancies were found. The board voted that due to the magnitude of the task, along with some discrepancies, that the board's attorney, Dustin Clark of Bougher, Krisher & Clark of Macomb would hire an external auditor to take over. Following the vote at the special meeting in July, Greg Butler of Butler & Associates was hired to conduct the audit.
'I talked to the attorney on Friday and was led to believe that they're about twothirds through the audit. They are missing some documents and they have a list they'll be providing so we can try to find those,' Weaver said at the Aug. 12 meeting. 'They are piecing together itemized lists of withdrawals and deposits to determine purchases and reimbursements. As for the other allegations, the attorney is only focused on the Memorial Account because it's most important and could have a possible criminal impact if something was uncovered. I'm not saying it will, but it could.'
Members of the audience, which includes volunteer members of the force, suggested bringing in the Illinois State Police to conduct an investigation. Weaver said he'd discuss this with Clark; however, the audit will continue through Butler at this time as voted upon. He also noted that they'd like to have this wrapped up by Labor Day as the fire department and trustees will have an active presence during the community's weekend celebration and he'd like to be able to answer the public's questions. A special meeting may be scheduled prior to the Labor Day weekend event if the audit is completed prior to Sept. 4.
