Politics & Government
West Bloomfield Officials At Odds Over Investigation, Invoice
Clerk Catherine Shaughnessy raises concerns over who has access to West Bloomfield Township's bank accounts.
From an unpaid law firm invoice, to an investment firm's access to township funds, arguments between West Bloomfield Township Clerk Catherine Shaughnessy and Treasurer Teri Weingarden seemed to dominate Monday night's board of trustees meeting.
Shaughnessy said Weingarden had allowed a firm that was not on a pre-approved list to access to the township's funds, which she said violates the township's investment policy.
Weingarden countered that she had a "thick due diligence packet" and that the township had done business with the firm in question for a number of years. However, Ureste said, the issue was a third-party vendor the firm used for ACH (Automated Clearing House) electronic transactions.
Weingarden agreed to block the company's access to township accounts; the board approved Shaughnessy's motion to require that the treasurer present a review of qualified financial institutions and broker dealers at the next meeting.
Unpaid invoice
Shaughnessy also expressed her frustration over Weingarden's refusal to pay an invoice from Johnson & Rosatti. Trustees in July asked the firm to provide a legal opinion about whether proper paperwork was filed with Comerica Bank authorizing the treasurer and deputy treasurer to conduct banking transactions.
Weingarden said she had requested a copy of the documents mentioned on the invoice and had not received them. She questioned whether the scope of work extended beyond what trustees authorized.
Trustee Howard Rosenberg reminded Weingarden that all trustees had just voted to approve the check, among consent agenda items.
"We, as a board, approved hiring them. We, as a board, approved the work. You don't have the right to hold this check," he said.
After Weingarden said she would not pay the invoice without more information, Shaughnessy offered a motion directing payment of the invoice. The motion passed, with Weingarden and Trustee Larry Brown opposing.
Ureste acknowledged the investigation "isn't easy", but said trustees felt it was necessary to look into what's happening in the treasurer's office.
"I am really embarrassed for the board to have to address so many issues," she said. "It's been a strain on the board and many departments. We need to try to have this as painless as possible."
The board meets again on Oct. 28.
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