Ludlow finances, manager position remain unsettled

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    LUDLOW — After 22 residents waited for an hour in Ludlow’s town office, their selectmen and the town attorney emerged from executive session saying they could not discuss anything regarding the suspension of Mary Beth Foley or a state audit of the town’s finances. Questions were met with a stock response: “We can’t say anything.”
    The 6 p.m. meeting had begun with a vote to go into executive session. Selectmen Virginia McCain, Ted Ivey and Greg Dow joined town attorney Dan Nelson and Foley, on suspension without pay as town manager, as they went into another, smaller room.
    While the minutes ticked away, necks craned toward the adjacent room for any sound indicating that the conference was ending. When it did conclude at 7:10 p.m., Foley left the building and the selectmen along with Nelson addressed the group.  Nelson said: “We are not allowed to discuss a personnel matter.” Ivey: “There’s nothing to tell. We’re done.”
    However, Ivey did say the selectmen would meet by the “last of the month, first of July to pay bills. And, then hold a town meeting to let people know.”
    State Auditor Neria Douglass had subpeoened Ludlow’s records following a complaint and indications that the town had not filed mandatory audits for several years. Ludlow’s selectmen and representatives at the state auditor’s office would not confirm or deny that the audit has been completed.
    Questions over Foley’s recordkeeping and the state audit have left a cloud over the longtime town manager who has refused to comment on the situation. Foley is also feeling the heat in Orient, in part, over tax hikes. Foley is a selectman and an assessor, in Orient.
    Following the meeting, some residents expressed frustration that no town business was conducted and no information was revealed about the Foley matter.
Reactions
    Chet McCord said he expected some sort of result. “I thought that after their meeting we would know what was discussed.” Therese Lussier said she was very disappointed that the meeting had produced no results. “There are no answers to our questions,” she asserted.  
    Ludlow is in a bit of financial limbo since the town meeting, normally held in April, has not been scheduled and budget issues have not been settled.
    David Stevens stressed the need for patience, but did say contracts for services like fire, ambulance and animal control have to be voted on at a town meeting along with purchase agreements for salt and sand.  And, Ivey’s term is up which means his post has to be filled. “The new fiscal year is a short time away and we can’t sign contracts,” explained Stevens.
    Betty White said: “It would be good for them to have a meeting so people could move ahead on other issues. They are getting so bogged down with this business. There are other things the community needs to move ahead on.”
    Before going home, Stevens also said that he saw bringing in Nelson as “a smart thing” to guide them through the situation. He added that he was “optimistic that things will be done right and taxpayers will come out on top.”