Rescue's fiscal house faces scrutiny at meeting

Selectman and Assistant Rescue Chief Jason Cole

Rescue Chief Samantha Cole

LEBANON - The Lebanon Rescue Department’s financial house came under intense scrutiny on Tuesday after an audit management report showed the department owes the town about $160,000.

An initial finding brought to the attention of selectmen by the town treasurer last month showed a shortfall of $66,642, but Selectmen Chair Karen Gerrish said after looking at all the current expenses and receivables it looked more like the $160,000 figure.

The town will also likely have to pay an upcoming $40,000 ambulance payment whether the Rescue coffers can stand the expense or not, Gerrish said.

Meantime, she said, only essential expenditures are being approved for the department.

The town treasurer also notified selectmen last month that Lebanon Rescue, headed by Chief Samantha Cole and her husband, Assistant Chief Jason Cole, was not supplying the town with a list of monthly receivables such as ambulance insurance billings. Missing invoices and receipts for routine Rescue expenditures were also noted.

The frustration level of Selectmen Chair Karen Gerrish and Selectman Ben Thompson was apparent as resident Chip Harlow asked, “At what point is mismanagement reason for dismissal?”

“That’s a personnel matter,” Gerrish said. “We won’t discuss that here.”

Other meeting attendees balked at news that Lebanon Rescue calls this past weekend were taken by Milton Fire and Rescue as Lebanon Rescue members were at an upstate resort for an annual Emergency Medical Association convention.

Gerrish said no request for funds for convention expense had come to her attention.

Meanwhile, a third Rescue vehicle purchased by the Lebanon Rescue Department has yet to be approved for by the town.

“Why should we let them have another vehicle, that’s just more expense for the town,” said resident Chris Gilpatrick Sr.

Lebanon Rescue is prohibited from owning vehicles, so the town must approve its acquisition for it to be maintained by the town and the department for Rescue purposes.

Gerrish said the town’s treasurer, auditing firm and legal counsel are currently sorting through the Rescue Department’s financial house to determine what, if anything, should be done to shore up its fiscal shortcomings.

The Board of Selectmen were again without Selectman Jason Cole, who has missed the lion’s share of meetings the past several months.