Teachey approves new auditor, celebrates improved fire rating

TEACHEY — The Teachey Board of Commissioners handled a little town business, followed by a lot of early holiday cheer at their Nov. 17 meeting. The meeting was rescheduled from Nov. 10 due to Veterans Day.

While the agenda was light, the town did take up the important business of choosing an auditor for the next fiscal year. Using a recommendation from the League of Municipalities, the board agreed to secure the services of April Adams of Aline Accounting Partners Group to conduct the next town audit, as recommended by town administrator Morgan Jacobs.

“This lady specializes in small towns,” Jacobs told the board.

Fortunately, the town will not have to pay for the audit services next year. Jacobs said that the League of Municipalities has decided to pay for the audit for this upcoming year. That was good news for the town, considering the cost of Adams’ services will total $20,000, which is $5,000 more than the town predicted the audit would cost.

Mayor Bobby Jones got a laugh from those in attendance when he responded to the cost of the audit by saying, “If anybody out there wants to be an auditor, or an accountant, it sounds like it’s pretty financially stable.”

Teachey Volunteer Fire Department Chief Richard Williams informed the board that the required state audit of the department had been completed and that they had received notification that the department’s ISO rating had improved from 5 to 4. That is good news for property owners in the area since this could affect the cost of homeowner’s insurance. The lower the rating, the better the insurance rate.

Jacobs told the board the town will begin a toy drive soon that will last until the week of Christmas. New toys can be dropped off at Teachey Town Hall or the fire department. The toys will be donated to area families in need.

Jones thanked everyone who attended and participated in the first Oyster & Smoke Festival on Nov. 8. In addition to the festivities, the town used the event to rename Teachey Park to Johnny H. Williams Jr. Park in memory of the well-respected town resident who was very involved in many civic activities. Williams’ son, Patrick Williams, a board member, thanked the town for the honor on behalf of his family.

Immediately after the board meeting adjourned, everyone attending enjoyed refreshments and hot chocolate before going outside for the annual town Christmas tree lighting ceremony.