RUMFORD – Selectmen agreed following a one-hour closed session Thursday afternoon with four department heads and the town’s auditor to change the computerized interconnectedness of the financial departments.

“This will give better internal control of their responsibilities,” said interim Town Manager Len Greaney Friday afternoon.

He emphasized that the town’s financial footing is in good shape. It’s only the method of keeping track of the various accounts that needs work.

“The three department heads will work hard as a team to solve any outstanding issues,” Greaney said.

The five selectmen, Greaney, and town auditor Harold Blake, and his staff of Pam Blake and Brenda Siefken met with the town’s finance director, Debbie Lauranaitis, tax collector Carlo Puiia, treasurer Jane Gaisson, and public works director Andy Russell.

The public works matter was separate from that of the the three finance officers, Greaney said.

Blake recommended that the computers of the the treasurer, tax collector and finance officer be separated from the interconnectedness now in place in the town.

He wrote in his management letter, that the connectedness has sometimes caused duplicate entries that sometimes resulted in understating revenues and expenditures.

He further wrote that having the town’s computers connected sometimes leads to contamination from other office’s work.

Former Town Manager Steve Eldridge, who left his position about 18 months ago, oversaw the installation of a software program known as TRIO, which continued to tie all computers together, just as the previous software program, Northern Data, had done.

He said the town’s computer system, as well as any from other towns he has worked with, were always tied together.

“That’s how the system is set up. Each module can be operated separately,” he said Friday. “They have to be tied together for receipting.”

Blake further recommended that similar procedures be applied to all town offices and departments. He also recommended that accounting manuals be devised so that substitutes could use the proper procedure for posting financial data.

“A properly functioning accounting program will provide accurate financial records. The program should identify revenues as to type and source just as it should identify expenditures. Without this type of performance, the accounting program does not provide the town and its management with the necessary information to control municipal operations and to protect town assets,” he said in his three-page management letter.

Finance director Lauranaitis said Friday afternoon that she, Blake and Greaney will meet with TRIO representatives on Tuesday to review Blake’s recommendations and work on resolving the accounting issues.

“We want to discuss the best possible output for a financial report,” Greaney said.

The public works matter involves the creation of an inventory control system that would result in an accurate control of parts to be maintained and an accurate way to price out jobs.

Greaney said that matter will likely be on the board’s agenda for the July 3 meeting.