Audit: Milford Schools Billed For Services Never Delivered

MILFORD, MA — Milford Public Schools will tighten its purchasing practices after an audit found that several companies may have billed the district tens of thousands for work that was never completed.

The independent audit was delivered to the Milford School Committee in April and showed that various contractors billed the district for work on school boilers, locker replacements and the construction of a storage room — although an auditor could not find evidence any of the work was actually completed.

During the April 11 school committee meeting, member Christopher Wilson detailed some of the findings of an audit that covered the 2020, 2021 and 2022 fiscal years. The audit found failures in the purchasing practices in the district's facilities office, leading to a lack of accountability for some projects.

On top of some projects not being delivered, contractors billed the district "exorbitantly" for some services, Wilson said. One of the most expensive errors had to do with boiler repair work purportedly completed by Chelmsford-based Kendall Boiler & Tank Co. The district was billed nearly $37,000 for boiler repair work in November 2021, but the auditor found the boiler inoperable in December 2023. The same company also billed the district $1,000 for an inspection and paperwork, and advised the district to follow up on what that charge was for. Kendall did not respond to an inquiry by the auditor, according to the report.

“Advice from the town counsel should be sought to explore the various legal options available to the district,” the audit said. “The district may need to pursue this matter with the state Inspector General’s office and the state Attorney General.”

Auditor Eric Kinsherf also advised the district to require invoices over $1,000 to have specific information about where the goods and services will be provided, and require district officials to attest that work has been completed on any project over $2,500. Kinsherf also recommended the district hire a facilities director to better oversee projects.

Here's the full audit: