Municipalities Can Mitigate Risks of Accepting Cash – OIG in Your Inbox
Accepting cash creates an inherent challenge that is best to address head-on, while being mindful of practical limitations to eliminating all risks. While your municipality may feel obligated to accept cash as legal tender, and may even be required in some circumstances under Massachusetts law to accept cash when offering goods and services for sale, there are several actions you can take as a steward of public resources to limit the risks.
Read the AdvisoryLease of Municipal Land – Solar Development
The OIG reviewed the procurement and lease agreement for a solar array on municipal land in the town of Marshfield.
Read the LetterGuidance for Municipalities on Opioid Abatement Funds and Chapter 30B
The Office of the Inspector General offers the following guidance to clarify how public procurement law, specifically Chapter 30B of the Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 30B), applies to a municipality’s expenditure of opioid abatement funds. Note that all purchases using opioid abatement funds are also subject to the terms of the settlement agreements between the Commonwealth and opioid industry defendants.
Read the AdvisoryGuidance for Municipalities on Opioid Abatement Funds and Chapter 30B
The OIG offers guidance to clarify how Chapter 30B applies to a municipality’s expenditure of opioid abatement funds.
View the GuideStrategies to Manage Mobile Devices – OIG in Your Inbox
In many workplaces, mobile devices are integral to employee productivity. Thoughtful policies concerning office-issued mobile devices are an important tool for the prevention of waste and abuse of office resources. Equally important are written procedures to collect devices and terminate lines for departed employees to prevent unauthorized use and additional charges. Regularly reviewing and updating your office’s policies and procedures is also critical to the successful mitigation of the risks around the use of these devices in the public space.
Read the AdvisoryFormer Medfield Parks and Recreation Director Pleads Guilty to Stealing Public Funds
The Attorney General’s Office secured a guilty plea.
Read the Press ReleaseIG Shapiro Urges Barre Town Officials to Improve Timekeeping Controls
An investigation found that the town’s former Department of Public Works Superintendent worked for two state agencies while he was supposed to be at his municipal job.
Read the Press ReleaseBourne Water District – Lease of 645 County Road – Solar Development
The OIG issued a letter regarding its findings of the request for proposals (RFP) issued by the Bourne Water District for a lease of land at 645 County Road, Bourne, and the subsequent agreement between the district and its lessee.
Read the LetterOIG Guide for Members of Public Boards & Commissions
This guide outlines the obligations and duties required of members of public boards and commissions.
View the GuideLease of Land at Ernest Valeri Road, Bourne for Solar Development
The OIG issued a letter concerning a proposed real property transaction between the town of Bourne and a solar
developer.
Detect and Prevent Electronic Funds Transfer Fraud – OIG in Your Inbox
Municipalities face a growing variety of cybersecurity risks, including data breaches, ransomware attacks, and denial of service attacks. These risks can result in a variety of harms to the municipality, including loss of access to critical infrastructure, disclosure of confidential information, and reputational damage. One such risk that has affected many Massachusetts communities is the use of phishing tactics to conduct Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) fraud.
Read the AdvisoryTestimony of Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro Regarding House 16
IG Shapiro commented in support of House 16, An Act Relative to County Land Disposition before the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.
Read the Testimony