The Wareham Water District elections are coming up Saturday,  April 13 and on the ballot are two Prudential Committee seats which are currently held by George Barrett and John Connolly respectively. Both men are running unopposed.

Also running unopposed is Water Commissioner Edward "Jay" Tamagini.

The one contested seat is for the position of Clerk/Treasurer. Marybeth Fernandes has held the seat for four terms and is facing challenger Wendy Lemieux in her bid for a fifth.

Lemieux moved to Wareham in 1996 with her husband and four kids. Her husband owns Wareham plumbing company JS Lemieux & Sons.

Thursday, April 4 the candidates came together for the district Candidate's Night, which is essentially a question and answer session that gives residents a chance to ask where the candidates stand on a number of issues.

The candidates began by introducing themselves, and below are the introductions given by incumbent Marybeth Fernandes and challenger Wendy Lemieux followed by the questions posed to them by district residents.

Wendy Lemieux:

"Professionally I am currently the Assistant Treasurer and the Assistant Collector for the town of Bourne. I have four years of municipal experience there. I'm a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Treasurers and Collectors Association, and have nearly completed the course work toward certification as a treasurer and municipal collector.

Previously, I have 13 years of commercial banking experience in branch management, consumer, and commercial lending, as well as 20 years experience as an independently contracted bookkeeper. I've even used my accounting background in providing community service to the town as the treasurer of both the Wareham Little League and the Decas Parents Club.

I would like to give back to my community and I believe the Clerk/Treasurer's position would be the perfect fit for my background and my future goals. If elected as Clerk/Treasurer I vow to be accountable to the Prudential Committee, the Water Commissioner, and you the taxpayers of the district. I will work with the Fire Chief and the Water Superintendent to move the district forward. I believe  in an open door policy and transparency.

I'm fiscally conservative. I would look to discontinuing the outsourcing of the payroll at a cost savings of over $6000 to the district taxpayers. I would be committed to enhancing the website and implementing both online and credit card payment options for the taxpayers. I promise that I will work to the best of my ability if elected as your Clerk and Treasurer. "

What would be your first priority if elected?

Lemieux: "I would like to bring payroll back into the district and not outsource it. I think that would be a terrific cost savings to the taxpayers."

I've got the annual report for the town of Bourne 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. I'm looking for the name of the Assistant Town Collector and I'm not finding you.

Lemieux: "The town of Bourne recently combined the Treasurer and Collectors office and in August of 2012 I took on the position of Assistant Collector."

The Wareham Water District owes the town of Wareham $210,000 for work the town did to install water pipes at the request of the district some years ago. So far this money has not been paid by the district to the town.  Do you think the district should make good on its debt and pay the town without  any further delay?

Lemieux: "I do think that the district should pay the town. My understanding is that it's a procurement issue.  I believe the procurement issue lies with the town and not with the district, and I think that  in order to prevent this from happening again I'm certainly willing to take the courses necessary to become a chief procurement officer myself."

This position has managing a staff and working with other departments committees and so forth.  Do you have some management experience? Do you think you can work well with other departments and committees?

Lemieux: "In my 13 years at Rockland Trust I was a branch manager...so I managed several staff members. Currently I oversee three staff members in our collectors office. I have to coordinate with our Assessors, Town Clerk; I'm a team player. Bit of a workaholic."

You mentioned something about your certification. Is that in progress?

Lemieux: "I have one more year of classes to complete in the treasurers course...those classes take place every August up at UMASS Amherst, and so I anticipate attending this year  and testing next year."

Marybeth Fernandes then took her turn introducing herself:

"Over the past 12 years I have gained invaluable experience in investment banking, borrowing, municipal accounting, and bonding that would be very difficult for anybody walking in the door to...replicate. Municipal accounting is a specialty in which I am now well versed and I would like to continue to serve the district.

Prior to my election I worked for the Wareham Municipal Maintenance Department for 29 years. With my experience in payroll, budgeting, municipal accounting and procurement policies I thought I would be a good candidate for the position of Clerk and Treasurer. The voters agreed, and I thank you.

Since I was elected in 2001 I have attended the [Massachusetts] Collectors/Treasurers School at [UMASS Amherst] and the Massachusetts Municipal Auditors School  at UMASS in Amherst. With my membership at the local treasurers association we've had many speakers that choose to speak specifically to small districts. Also the Cape and Islands Treasurers Association and the Plymouth County Treasurer and Collectors Associations have many valuable meetings with speakers.

Since becoming Clerk and Treasurer 12 years ago I updated the  charter accounts from the statutory accounting to the standards of... uniform Massachusetts  accounting standards...I've implemented a seamless conversion of accounting software system to one that is acceptable for municipal finance accounting. I implemented a fixed asset reporting system for government accounting standards...I implemented the requirements of all government accounting reporting requirements including  Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB).

I effectively and efficiently adapted to the doubling of the district size and number of accounts.  I have received successful audits of district financial records. I ensured timely and accurate preparation of district meeting warrants, as well as weekly payroll and accounts payable warrants. I upgraded the district's bond rating to a AA+ giving us a better rate with our borrowing.

My goals for the next three years include continuing to get the district online for bill payments...probably we'd want to sign up for the online banking prior to the e-billing. That would give us an opportunity to break into it without taking the whole ball of wax and [get] used to the nuances. I have a reputation for efficiency, honesty, and trustworthiness. I know district finances in and out, both water and fire.

Again this job is not just about accounting it's about investment, bonding, procurement, and having the understanding of the many Mass general laws and procedures that govern the district and run elections. In the past 12 years district monies have been safely invested, distributed,  and properly accounted for.  My treasurer's books are balanced, my election results have been accurate and approved by the Secretary of State's office.

I ask you: Why risk upsetting 12 years of stable, efficient delivery of services?  I am the only candidate with that experience. No one knows the job better than me, and I'm more than ready to continue to serve you and I ask for the support of the district voters on Saturday April 13."

What do you think will be the toughest part of this position? (Question was directed at both candidates)

Fernandes: "There's a lot of changes on a regular basis (regarding accounting rules)...and that's going to be a continuing thing that you have to keep up with and account for...I'm excited about, with the little space we have, to streamline it even better going forward."

Lemieux: "I would look forward to getting the district online. Right now it's pretty much a nonexistent website...it's difficult to even find a phone number. It would be important for me to get a website up, make it user friendly for the taxpayers, get online banking, bill pay, credit card use and certainly consider going green and e-billing."

George Barrett: (says the website is in the process of being updated) "It needs work,  we need a little more continuity and we need to use it more...We need to update the whole system so people can interact that way with the district"

Could you describe the day to day operations, and the volume of work in the office?

Fernandes: "Well the office is very busy. One thing, as far as payroll goes, I disagree [with Lemieux's proposal of discontinuing the outsourcing of the payroll.] I did payroll in house...and found that by outsourcing for $6,000 we got more than our money's worth. It would cost a lot more for someone, even a part-time person [to do payroll]...$6,000 [out of] a $10 million operation is minuscule as far as your tax rate is concerned...It frees up time and allows us to be more efficient in more important work that we take care of."

It seems that on a couple of occasions the payroll courier found the district office closed when they arrived with the fire department payroll, and the payroll was then apparently left at the police department where supposedly the payroll envelopes were opened and some sensitive information was disclosed. Can you think of a way to make sure that doesn't happen again?

Fernandes:  "Yes actually we have a box outside of our office now and they are ordered to put it in the box and it comes right into the office so that'll never happen again...We arranged that if there was no one here that it would go to the police station, thinking it would be safe at the police station. I don't know how that ever happened. So we learned a lesson and we moved forward and took care of it.

Are you certified by the state as a treasurer?

Fernandes: "I am not yet, I do plan to be. I was on my way...I finally got help and then I had an illness in the family."

(Questioner says: "But it's been 12 years...")

Fernandes: "I was here myself for many of those years before I got help (in the office) and when I did then I had issues at home. I've got half of it ready to go."

Why was an accountant hired after you came on as Clerk/Treasurer?

Fernandes: "I did hire an accountant...we're all busy 40 hours a week and I think it's good for the district and good for everyone."

(Directed at Lemieux): Would you keep it that way?

Lemieux: "I think that there would definitely be a learning curve for me if I were to be elected...I would like to think that I am capable of doing the duties of the accountant as well."

(Directed at Lemieux): You need to certify free cash. Can you explain the process and will you be able to do that when you get here?

Lemieux: "I have to provide reports to our water district in Bourne for their cash. Have I ever gone through the process? No I haven't, but do I believe I'll have the support to get it done? Yes I do."

(Repeat of question asked earlier of Mrs. Lemieux regarding the $210,000 the Wareham Water District owes the town of Wareham): "The Wareham Water District owes the town of Wareham $210,000 for work the town did to install water pipes at the request of the district some years ago. So far this money has not been paid by the district to the town.  Do you think the district should make good on its debt and pay the town without  any further delay?"

Fernandes: "No. If we could we absolutely would. Do we want to pay it? Absolutely...It's a matter of legality, it's not a matter of 'what would you like to do'. How we got into this is in 2009 we had an article at the district meeting to replace pipes on Oak Street and Indian Neck. With every other project, it was bid on and there was never an issue.

For whatever reason there was a deal made with the town and [it] piggy-backed on the towns sewer contract through a change order. You've got two different entities, and you've got two different scopes of work so that didn't really make  lot of sense...So checking with the Attorney General's office...His answer was 'no you can't [pay the bill legally]'...They did suggest that we go through special legislation. So I said 'o.k'. So that's been there as an option for two years and nothing has been done about it. I ask all the time 'is there anything being done about it'?...I'm stuck, my hands are tied until something is done legally."

(Directed at George Barrett): Has the district tried to file special legislation?

Barrett: "Our counsel is talking with town counsel trying to do this in a more simplified manner. And when it looked like that wasn't going anywhere unfortunately there was not enough time to write the special legislation for this district meeting. It's still not out of the question. The two counsels are still working together and hopefully with the [Attorney General's] office, so possibly we can resolve this without a special act or legal action."

(follow up question directed at Barrett): In two years the Prudential Committee has not been able to [write] a special act to go forward?

Barrett: "[We'd hoped] the town was going to take some sort of action...We thought it was going to be resolved without that...[it seems like] it's going to take an extended period of time to get a special act through, so it was our hope that it could be resolved through counsel and the AG's office."

(Directed at Fernandes):  Am I correct that one payment was made?

Fernandes: Yes.

(Follow up directed at Fernandes): Why would one payment be made and now we find ourselves in this situation?

Fernandes: "The payment was made and then the realization came to light that the contract didn't exist. So I asked the Attorney General: 'What if a payment was made?' He says 'well than there's nothing you can do about that but you cannot pay the second one.'"

Where's the money coming from to pay the attorneys who are trying to resolve this issue?

Barrett: "That would be coming out of a line item in the budget..."

Who's paying for it?

Barrett: "At this point the district is paying for their counsel and the town is paying for theirs."