The Board of Finance voted last week to retain the services of Michaud & Accavallo, a certified public accounting firm located in Ansonia, to continue conducting the annual town audit for the next two years.
The firm was the lowest bidder of five companies vying for the job; they charge $26,560 to conduct the audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, and $27,820 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2012.
Other bidders ranged from just under $30,000 to $45,000.
Chairwoman Lila Ferrillo said keeping the firm on board was good idea because of troubles that cropped up with former , who resigned after town officials say she stole more than $670,000 from the tax office in an elaborate money floating schme.
A civil lawsuit filed by the town alleges that Guillet stole the money between July 2003 and December 2009. The case is ongoing, as is a criminal investigation by the state police Western District Major Crimes Squad.
Board member Michael Lyon, who cast the sole dissenting vote, indicated the Guillet situation is exactly why he voted against Michaud & Accavallo.
“I’m not happy with this company,” he said. “I have concerns why they didn’t pick certain things up, and I don’t think we got our money’s worth with them.”
