Council BooksSign inSubscribe

Across towns

What we keep finding

We have read the budgets, minutes and reports of 405 towns by hand. Some questions come up again and again. Here they are, grouped by theme, with a link to each town's page and its sources.

A question is not an accusation. Each one lists ordinary reasons it could be true. A pattern across towns often means a shared cause, like a new accounting rule or a shortage of auditors, rather than anyone doing something wrong.

Audited statements arriving late

Every year an outside auditor checks a town’s books. In several towns that check finishes a year or more after the year ends, or the result is hard to find.

Decisions made behind closed doors

Councils may meet privately for a few reasons, like lawsuits or staff matters. Some do it at most meetings and say little afterwards.

Conflicts of interest

When a council member or their family has a money interest in a decision, they must declare it and step out. These questions are about how that is recorded and handled.

Contracts and how they were awarded

Who got the work, for how much, and whether anyone else had a fair chance to bid.

Debt and borrowing

Loans are normal for big projects. The questions are how much, at what cost, and how they will be paid back.

Roads, bridges and savings that fall short

Towns own roads, bridges, pipes and buildings that wear out. Several say themselves that they are not saving enough to replace them.

Landfills and their closing costs

When a dump closes, the town still has to cap it and watch it for decades. Those future costs are now on the books, and some towns have nothing saved for them.

Council and staff pay

What council members pay themselves, and how fast office costs are growing.

Other questions