Audit Finds Department of Energy Resources Needs to Improve Oversight of Green Communities

BOSTON - An audit released today by the Office of State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump (OSA) showed the Green Communities Division (GCD) within the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) must strengthen its oversight of the green communities designation program. GCD was created by the Green Communities Act to help municipalities become more sustainable in terms of their energy needs, control rising energy costs, and facilitate the use of clean energy technologies. The audit, which examined the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020, found GCD did not ensure that all municipalities that received a "green communities" designation from GCD were submitting their required annual reports and did not ensure documentation of all grant funding expenditures was submitted as required by state regulations and grant requirements.

As of November 2020, 271 of the 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth had been designated as green communities, meeting five criteria that demonstrate a commitment to using clean energy. In return, these communities are offered grant opportunities to help them reduce their carbon footprint and lower their energy costs. During the audit period, DOER awarded designation grants totaling $9,916,438 to 61 municipalities.

"The green communities designation is highly advantageous for municipalities across the state, which is why the proper administration of this program is vitally important to its success," Bump said of the audit. "Our audit makes clear that moving forward the Green Communities Division must establish effective monitoring controls over its reporting processes for towns and cities."

In fiscal year 2019, GCD did not receive annual reports from 11 green communities; in fiscal year 2020 the division did not receive annual reports from 17 green communities. As a result, GCD cannot be sure that these municipalities are compliant with the five criteria in the Green Communities Act. In addition, GCD did not obtain documentation to justify $46,471 in administrative expenses made by eight green communities that had requested reimbursements through the GCD grant program. The audit recommends that GCD establish stronger monitoring controls over the grant program and its green communities' reporting process to ensure compliance. Based on the auditee's response, it is taking steps to correct the issues identified.

DOER is charged with developing and implementing policies and programs aimed at ensuring the adequacy, security, diversity, and cost-effectiveness of the Commonwealth's energy supply to create a clean, affordable and resilient energy future for all residents, businesses, communities, and institutions. Five divisions carry out the DOER's mission, including the GCD. For fiscal years 2019 and 2020, DOER received state appropriations totaling $4,978,014 and $4,437,101, respectively, to fund its operations.

The full audit report is available here.

Audit Offers Steps to Improve IT Administration and Security at Office of the Commissioner of Probation

BOSTON (November 8, 2021) - Today, the Office of State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump (OSA) released an audit that examined the Office of the Commissioner of Probation's (OCP) oversight of its electronic monitoring program for probationers and access to juvenile probation records by police. Although the audit found no deficiencies in these systems, it did identify areas where OCP could improve information technology (IT) procedures, including better management of employee access rights to OCP databases and enhanced cybersecurity awareness training for staff. The audit examined the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020.

"While the Office of the Commissioner of Probation has been diligent in its supervision of probationers, it's evident through our examination that controls over employee access and IT systems need to be strengthened," Bump said of the audit. "Bolstering agency administrative functions will only make the office's work more efficient and will decrease the risk of mistakes being made during the probation process."

The audit examined OCP employee access rights to internal systems with sensitive probationer data and found that most employees were missing required authorization from management and that some individuals who had left OCP still had access to IT programs. The audit also found that OCP only began conducting cybersecurity awareness training in March 2020 and that some employees had not completed training by the end of the audit period. Additionally, of the 55 employees reviewed, the audit noted 20 who had no evidence of a completed Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check on file. Not completing CORI checks could cause OCP to give individuals with convictions access to personally identifiable information as well as probation monitoring information.

The audit recommends OCP update its internal controls to reduce the risk of issues associated with access controls and permission rights, ensure that cybersecurity training is conducted and completed by all staff, and ensure that CORI checks are completed. Based on its response, OCP is taking steps to address these concerns.

OCP is part of the Massachusetts Trial Court system. The system is overseen by the Chief Justice of the Trial Court and the Court Administrator, who report to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. The OCP Commissioner administers the Massachusetts Probation Services in conjunction with the Chief Justice of the Trial Court and the Court Administrator. As of June 30, 2020, the office had 1,778 employees. Its operating budget was $156,133,131 for fiscal year 2019 and $163,055,581 for fiscal year 2020.

The full audit report is available here.

New Statewide Coalition Seeks Alternative to Gardner's Planned Sludge Landfill Expansion

The Millers River Watershed Council (MRWC), an Athol-based environmental non-profit organization, is pleased to announce the creation of a new statewide Coalition for a Sustainable Alternative to Expanding Gardner's Sludge Landfill. Comprised of local, regional and statewide groups, the Coalition aims to garner support for an approach to managing Gardner's sewage sludge that will keep the City's air and water clean and will not disturb environmentally sensitive City forest land.

"Just about everyone wants to find an economical solution to dealing with Gardner's landfill sludge that is also environmentally friendly, and we are confident the City would find such a solution if it chose to look for one," said MRWC director Ivan Ussach. Some City Councilors, along with hundreds of Gardner residents, have been trying to get the City to do just that since 2016, when, during a City Council hearing attended by many residents, the only voice in favor of the current plan was then-mayor Mark Hawke. "Hawke is gone, but the City Council has not been eager to take a fresh look at the options," said Ussach.

The Coalition currently includes MRWC, Gardner Clean Air, Athol Bird and Nature Club, Clean Water Action, Connecticut River Conservancy, MassPIRG, Mass Rivers Alliance, Mount Grace Conservation Land Trust and North County Land Trust. It's efforts will help ensure that alternatives to dumping more sludge get the attention they deserve--such as anaerobic digestion, composting and hauling out. Various public, private and hybrid funding mechanisms could be considered by the City.

"Threatening water supplies and stinking up the Cummings Conservation Area that the City, State, and Federal Government paid to protect is not the way to go," said Alan Rousseau of Gardner Clean Air, who is also an abutter. "Neither is destroying rare geological features and vernal pools in the City-owned Wildwood Forest," he added.

"No other municipalities in the state are planning to open or expand sludge landfills, and that should tell you something," said Ussach. "If the City thinks this is some sort of economic windfall to handle sludge from the entire state--well, all I can say is, that idea stinks worse than the landfill itself. That's not the legacy the Chair City needs or deserves," Rousseau said. More information can be found on the MRWC website at www.millerswatershed.org.

Gobi Announces Office Hours for November

Spencer (November 1, 2021) - State Senator Anne M. Gobi (D-Spencer) is announcing office hours for the month of November. She invites community members to meet with her Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Lucas McDiarmid, at locations across the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex District.

Office hours will last for a period of one hour at each location and are scheduled by region. All residents are invited to attend at any location. If you have questions or wish to make a special appointment with the Senator or her staff, outside of scheduled hours, please call 413-324-3082. You may also email Lucas.McDiarmid@MAsenate.gov.

Tuesday, November 2
Office Hours Templeton Tue 11/2/2021 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Templeton Town Hall

Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Office Hours Athol Wed 11/3/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Athol Senior
Office Hours Phillipston Wed 11/3/2021 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Location: Phillipston Town Hall

Monday, November 8, 2021
Office Hours Barre Mon 11/8/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Barre Senior Center
Office Hours Hubbardston Mon 11/8/2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Location: Hubbardston Town Offices

Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Office Hours Hardwick Tue 11/9/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Hardwick Town Hall
Office Hours New Braintree Tue 11/9/2021 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Location: New Braintree Town Hall

Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Office Hours Oakham Wed 11/10/2021 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Location: Oakham Senior Center
Office Hours Paxton Wed 11/10/2021 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Paxton Senior Center
Office Hours Rutland Wed 11/10/2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: Rutland Community Center

Monday, November 15, 2021
Office Hours Spencer Mon 11/15/2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: Howe Village
Office Hours East Brookfield Mon 11/15/2021 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Location: East Brookfield Municipal Offices

Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Office Hours Sturbridge Tue 11/16/2021 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Sturbridge Senior Center
Office Hours Charlton Tue 11/16/2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: Charlton Senior Center

Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Office Hours West Brookfield Wed 11/17/2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: West Brookfield Senior Center
Office Hours North Brookfield Wed 11/17/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: North Brookfield Senior Center
Office Hours Brookfield Wed 11/17/2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Location: Brookfield Town Hall

Thursday, November 18, 2021
Office Hours Wales Thu 11/18/2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: Wales Senior Center

Monday, November 22, 2021
Office hours Monson Mon 11/22/2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Monson Town Hall
Office Hours Holland Mon 11/22/2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Location: Holland Town Hall

Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Office Hours Warren Tue 11/23/2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Warren Senior Center
Office Hours Brimfield Tue 11/23/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Brimfield Senior Center

Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Office Ware Wed 11/24/2021 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: Ware Senior Center
Office Hours Palmer Wed 11/24/2021 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Palmer Public Library