MAC: Rec. Dept. ‘Financial Irregularities’

DID YOU KNOW …

“Financial irregularities” in the Recreation Department has resulted in longtime Recreation Director Jeff Kaylor and his secretary being placed on administrative leave by the Canton Board of Selectmen. The well-liked Kaylor was due to retire this month after serving the town for over 35 years. A recent news release issued by the Board of Selectmen stated that “financial irregularities” were discovered during an independent audit of the Recreation Department’s “revolving account,” which supports many recreational programs in Canton.

The audits conducted by the town focused on the financial relationship — related to the cost of gym time — between the Recreation Department’s in-town basketball program and the independent Canton travel basketball program run by Canton resident Tony Braconi. Braconi has run the travel basketball program for over 20 years and was instrumental in developing many Canton High School basketball players. Braconi’s travel basketball program includes players in fourth grade through eighth grade. It is estimated that the yearly cost of the gym for the program was about $50,000.

The auditor brought in by the Board of Selectmen also found inconsistencies in the Rec Department’s revolving account. The selectmen referred the case to the Canton Police Department, who turned it over to the Public Integrity Division of the Attorney General’s Office. Stay tuned on this one.

The Canton Knights of Columbus Building at 500 Pleasant Street is up for sale. The organization has been impacted by declining revenues and membership during the last few years. The property is 5,839 square feet, one and a half acres of land and is assessed for $5,002.00 Peter Boucher was recently named the new principal of the Hansen Elementary School. Boucher has been in Canton for four years and was the wellness director for the past three years. He was named the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Wellness Director of the Year.

Friendly’s Ice Cream is teaming up with Burger King to feature both chains’ offerings under one roof. “Friendly’s Scoop,” as it will be called, will only use a 200-square-foot counter space serving frozen treats at its Burger King locations.

Selectmen recently approved the all-alcohol license transfer from the Gefteas family to the Brodigan family at the New Turnpike Café on Route 138.

The Napleton Company has submitted its Reservoir Pond Dam repair plan to the state Office of Dam Safety, and according to Selectman Sal Salvatori, work on the dam should be completed before the summer months.

Police Chief Ken Berkowitz is looking for a budget increase of $241,553, which will include a new deputy chief position, a new lieutenant’s position, and a patrol officer.

The eighth annual CABI/Reebok Road Race will take place on Saturday, September 15, at the Reebok Campus in Canton.

The Canton High School Alumni Association will hold a get-together on Sunday, April 15, at 4:30 p.m. at the New Turnpike Café on Route 138. All CHS alumni are invited to join in seeing old acquaintances.

In the recent democratic primary election in Canton, 367 voters supported President Barack Obama, who is running unopposed, but 67 Canton voters chose no preference. A newly formed figure skating performance and competition team based out of FMC Ice Sports in Franklin, known as the Franklin Finesse, debuted this past weekend at the 41st annual Natick Skating Competition in Natick.

The team consists of five skaters ages 9-11. Team members are Holly Swinamer, daughter of Canton High School graduate Mike Swinamer, Alexandra Sousa, Madigan Smith, Michaela DeToma, and Brianna Cummings. All of the skaters finished top four in their events, including a first place finish for Holly Swinamer. For their next event, the team will be adding two more skaters, one of which will be Holly’s 6-year-old sister, Emily. The group is coached by Joanna Zehme.

Rhode Island may become the first state to ban smoking at all public beaches, parks, and playgrounds. Maine bans smoking at its state beaches, while New York prohibits smoking at community beaches. Most states ban smoking in the workplace, restaurants, and on buses. Cigarette butts are the most common type of litter found on beaches.

Many people believe that William Shakespeare had a hand in writing or translating the King James version of the bible, which was first published in 1611. Shakespeare was 46 years old. Look up Psalm 46. Count 46 words from the beginning of the Psalm. You will find the word “Shake.” Count 46 words from the end of the Psalm. You will find the word “spear.” An obvious coded message?

You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.

This is all for now folks. See you next week.

Joe DeFelice can be reached at manaboutcanton@aol.com.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=12410

Posted by Joe DeFelice on Mar 21 2012. Filed under Man About Canton, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.