Worcester district attorney probes Hubbardston tax glitches
By Paula J. Owen TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
HUBBARDSTON — Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.'s office is investigating irregularities in the former tax collector's records that were discovered by independent auditors, Town Administrator Anita M. Scheipers said.
Town officials previously would not disclose why former Tax Collector Cynthia Washburn-Doane resigned at the end of May after 25 years at the post. A recent public-records request by the Telegram & Gazette for a copy of her resignation letter to Ms. Scheipers was denied, but Ms. Scheipers said this week that Ms. Washburn-Doane's agreed-upon resignation came after auditors from Scanlon & Associates of South Deerfield noticed the town's tax collection rates were much lower than they should have been.
The firm completed the audit for fiscal 2012, but is still conducting audits for fiscal 2013 and 2014, she said.
A request to Scanlon for comment was not returned.
"They noticed there was a trend in the tax-collection rates," Ms. Scheipers said. "They were much lower than they should be.
Most communities have a 98 percent collection rate and 2 percent receivables due. The town rate was much lower."
