Uxbridge Host Community Agreement with Ironstone Express, Inc.
The Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General (OIG) received a complaint in June 2020 about the approval process for the host community agreement (HCA) for a marijuana retail business owned by Mr. Barry R. Desruisseaux, who was then serving on the town of Uxbridge’s Planning Board.
Read the LetterMass Environmental Police Details Worked at Mass Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Facilities
The OIG conducted a review of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) and the Massachusetts Environmental Police’s (MEP) compliance with the reporting provisions of the Interdepartmental Service Agreement (ISA) for police details worked at DCR’s state parks and pools for fiscal years (FY) 2014 through 2021.
Read the LetterMSP Certification and Accreditation
As part of its statutory mandate, the OIG’s Division of State
Police Oversight (DSPO) reported its review of policy changes as a result of the Massachusetts State Police’s (MSP) attaining full accreditation.
Mitigating Risks from Smart Technology in School Buildings
The OIG recommends that the Massachusetts School Building Authority and local school districts consider measures to mitigate risks in procurement, design and construction involving high-tech systems in public schools.
Read the LetterMBTA Agreement with MassChallenge, Inc
The OIG found that the MBTA did not have a clear objective in pursuing the sponsorship agreement and did not oversee the contract and vendor by assigning a contract administrator. The OIG also found nothing to indicate that the MBTA followed through with its chosen startup to leverage the agreement’s anticipated benefits.
Read the LetterThe Office of the Inspector General issues letter to Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper
On February 28, 2023, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) sent a letter to Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper regarding her plans to enter a new bus transportation contract with Transdev Services, Inc.
Read the LetterChelsea Soldiers’ Home
In a letter, the OIG requested information from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EHS) and the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) pursuant to its statutory authority. On October 14, 2022, the Office requested materials related to any EHS or DVS
investigations into the Home and its management, which EHS did not provide until December 22, 2022.
Chelsea Soldiers Home
IG Shapiro expressed concerns about leadership at EHS and continuing problems at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, based on investigative reports provided to the OIG.
Read the LetterHouse 596 An Act Relative to School Operational Efficiency
House 596 also is contrary to the central principle of Chapter 30B that open, fair and robust competition for public procurements saves money and promotes integrity and public confidence in government.
Read the LetterFiscal practices at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke and by its Board of Trustees
The OIG found that the Holyoke Soldiers' Home and its Board of Trustees had poor governance and management of funds derived from donations, canteen income, proceeds from lottery sales and veterans’ personal needs and had few internal controls and no segregation of duties relating to these funds.
Read the LetterIG Comments on Proposed Theater Tax Credit Program
IG Cunha opposes House 2828, a bill that creates a theater tax credit program similar to the state’s film tax credit program, because it lacks sufficient safeguards and there is no evidence that the state’s return on investment will exceed the costs of the program.
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