During Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting, Town Manager Elaine Lazarus referred to a letter she received from the state’s Office of the Inspector General into what it deemed was illegal conduct by a former director of the Parks & Recreation Department.

An OIG investigation into former Parks and Recreation Department director Jay Guelfi determined that he intentionally circumvented the state’s procurement laws by arranging a “handshake agreement” with a local food truck vendor. He also was found to have kept money from this deal in his desk drawer for use as “petty cash.”

While she did not name Guelfi, Lazarus said the OIG “recommended that the town take several actions.” Some, she said, needed to be implemented within 30 days, while others must be done within 60 days. Others are “long-term.”

“We have a town team that’s working on executing all of those,” she said, without going into detail into the recommended measures.

The team also is working on drafting a memorandum of understanding (MOU) as well as an updated cash-handling policy, she added. She said she hoped to schedule a meeting with the Parks & Recreation Commission to discuss the matter.

“It’s important to restore trust in what we do and trust in the Parks & Recreation Commission and what they offer,” stressed Lazarus. “So we’re really working to make everything right.”

Select Board member Matthew Kizner asked Lazarus if she was “concerned” about the structure where the director reports to the Parks & Recreation Commission rather than to the Select Board. He noted that the library is “headed to a similar model.”

Lazarus said this policy could be considered as part of the upcoming charter review, which was discussed briefly earlier in the meeting. The town charter review takes place every 10 years.

The OIG’s letter, she added, suggested that MOUs be created with other boards, “which I will do.”

Kizner suggests town departmental audit

Kizner asked if an audit would be conducted for “departments that are similarly structured.”

Lazarus said that because the other departments don’t operate the types of facilities that Parks & Rec does or handle cash, she did not anticipate concerns with other departments.

The only other entity that Lazarus said has a similar structure is the Board of Health, she added.

Member Amy Ritterbusch said the structures are outlined in the town charter. They potentially can be changed during the review process.

“Is it the suggestion that we investigate the Board of Health’s operations for potential violations of state and town policy?” Lazarus asked Kizner.

Kizner replied, “This is me doing my diligence when I am confronted with a significant financial breakdown in the town with which I am charged stewarding.”

Said Lazarus: “It was an individual who did not comply with the regulations.”

Member Brian Herr said the Select Board should defer to the Board of Health as to how it chooses to proceed.

“We’re almost suggesting something’s going on, right?” he said. “So we don’t want to do that.”

Vice chair Shahidul Mannan said he did not believe the actions of one former department director warranted the investigation into “all similar departments.”

Mannan’s wife, Nasiba Mannan, serves as chair of the Board of Health.

Kizner said he was not trying to imply that he suspected any nefarious activity with the Health Department or the Board of Health.

Ritterbusch suggested that this discussion be placed on a future agenda.