Wareham has appointed an accounting firm, rather than a single person, to fill the town accountant position.

Town Administrator Mark Andrews explained the functions of the position will be taken over by the Baystate Municipal Accounting Group, but led by Justin Cole as a sort of hybrid.

According to the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website, Cole is listed as president, treasurer, secretary, and director for Baystate Municipal Accounting Group, which is located in Maynard, Mass.

Andrews said Baystate Municipal and Cole came unanimously recommended by a screening committee that Andrews appointed himself, which included Town Treasurer/Collector John Foster, Wareham Public Schools Director of Operations/Finance Ana Miranda, Finance Committee member Samuel Gray, and Selectman Ellen Begley.

Foster appeared before the Board of Selectmen's meeting held before Tuesday's Town Meeting to discuss the position. According to Foster, Cole and Baystate Municipal will fill the position for what he and Andrews called "Phase One" until December 31. At that point they will review to see if the town should continue with the firm or appoint an individual.

"It may not be the long-term solution, but it could be the long-term solution," Foster said.

The selectmen voted 3-2 in favor of the decision to appoint the firm. Selectmen Cara Winslow and Steve Holmes voted against it.

"We don't know if this is the best bang for our buck," Winslow said, adding later that she wished the Board of Selectmen had been presented with more options so they would have something to compare the firm to.

Foster said after the meeting that he believed there were seven other accountants working for Baystate Municipal. He added that to his knowledge the firm had been formed six years ago and incorporated two years ago. He said he was not aware of the town ever appointing a firm in the position of town accountant before.

Cole did not respond to a message left at the phone number listed for the 17 Dix Road address of the accounting firm. He was also absent from Town Meeting Monday night due to illness, Town Moderator Claire Smith said during a roll call of department heads. He also did not attend on Tuesday.

Cole will be replacing former Town Accountant Elizabeth Zaleski, who was fired in April after a draft financial audit revealed a six-figure discrepancy in the town's books. After appealing the dismissal and reaching a $42,500 settlement agreement, Zaleski was reinstated but agreed to immediately resign her post.