Select Board assigns Finance Director duties to Town Administrator amid staffing crisis
Select Board · Meeting of July 20, 2026
Lancaster Select Board assigns Finance Director duties amid staffing crisis. The Board unanimously assigned Finance Director duties to Town Administrator John R. Woodsmall III without additional compensation, addressing shortages caused by a Finance Director vacancy and the Treasurer/Collector's medical leave.
The decision requires union members to perform work beyond their duties. The Board also voted 2-1 to authorize support for Massachusetts House Bill 5469, allowing the State Auditor to audit the Legislature, with Board Member Ralph A. Gifford III voting against over partisan concerns.
The Board approved appointments including five Cable Television Advisory Committee members, one alternate to the NSN Rivers Council, and 14 election workers.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 590 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of July 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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