Trustees and auxiliary spar over fundraiser accounting; town attorney says auxiliary is private nonprofit

Members of the local auxiliary offered to coordinate the town’s annual fundraiser for the fire department on May 2, but trustees pressed the group for information about how funds and in-kind donations had been recorded. One trustee said the auxiliary had reported only about $280 worth of in-kind donations since November; auxiliary members disputed that characterization and said they had provided meals and support and had coordinated with the fire department.

Town attorney (speaker 10) told the meeting the auxiliary is a private nonprofit organization and that the town has no direct authority to compel internal nonprofit accounting. He described auxiliaries generally as independent groups formed to support fire service members and said they can lawfully accept and disburse funds for members’ benefit. Trustees asked the auxiliary to provide more detailed records and to coordinate with the fire chief so the town could ensure the fundraiser and any door receipts or dues were handled in a way the town could administer if the town were to host the event.

No money was transferred or formally authorized at the meeting. Trustees encouraged further discussion between the auxiliary, the fire chief and town staff and asked the auxiliary to return with clearer documentation of donations and proposed handling of proceeds.