copyright the Chronicle February 22, 2017
by Elizabeth Trail
COVENTRY — Early on a Saturday morning seems like an unlikely time to draw a crowd for an informational meeting with the select board.
But close to 30 people showed up at the community center here on February 18 for a public question and answer session about the recent audit and the town’s missing funds.
“I know there have been a lot of questions,” selectman Scott Morley said in his brief opening remarks, as early-rising residents sipped coffee or nibbled on doughnuts and muffins provided by the board.
Asking those questions now will prevent chaos at Town Meeting, he said.
For close to an hour and a half, the crowd peppered Mr. Morley and fellow selectman Brad Maxwell with questions and comments. Chairman Mike Marcotte wasn’t able to get to Saturday’s meeting but plans to be at the next two sessions.
The questions generally fell into three groups: the cost of the audit, why the problem had gone on for so many years, and what can be done about it.
Mr. Morley said he was uncomfortable with the word “embezzlement” that a number of people at the meeting used to describe the missing money.
“That hasn’t been proven,” he said several times. “We aren’t using those words.”
But after the meeting he acknowledged to people who asked that the State Police and the FBI are actively investigating the case.
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