Windsor Tax Collector headed to Jail??? $300,000 missing?

Please consider this a submission article

This investigation started three years ago stimulated by a Taxpayer's Advocacy Group similar to the Atkinson Taxpayers Association, Atkinson, Taxpayers for Fair Evaluations Committee, Atkinson Taxpayers Committee, Coalition of New Hampshires Taxpayers (on the state level) and many others interested in correcting the illegal practices of their Town officials. The details and documents supplied to the State, came from the taxpayers, not Town officials. Can anyone guess why? It is proceeding from an investigation into a criminal case, where surely certain someone(s) will be going to jail. Even though Town officials denied it, there was a smoking gun.

The taxpayers of Windsor that have filed suit against their Town officials have been subjected to the very same types of harassment and intimidation as those that have filed suit against Atkinson officials. This harassment is no accident. There are a lot of questions why State officials didn’t get involved sooner so stay tuned to see how far up the ladder this case will lead.

As you read and follow this case through the courts, please remember abuses can only thrive if we do nothing to stop the few that do so much harm. It is your tax dollars that they are using against you, not for you.

Isn’t it time to get involved with your favorite local taxpayer group(s) and help put a stop to the abuses in your town? Without them there will be no accountability, or transparency in your government. Without them the abuses will continue. Please don’t become a victim of their abuse. Join today.

Reported tonight on WMUR TV

WINDSOR, N.H. -- The town of Windsor is under intense scrutiny amid accusations of corruption by the town's former tax collector.

PDF: Report On Windsor Taxes

Many residents are calling for an investigation, saying that while they were being taxed, their some of their neighbors were not. The town records were recently the subject of a state audit, and the audit's report indicates there may be problems with the town's books.

Irene Palmer has called Windsor home since 1974, but she said what has happened in recent years tears at the foundation of the town she loves.

"It's been very difficult," she said. "It's divided the town."

Last month, Palmer and several other Windsor residents filed a lawsuit against the town. It claims that for years, former tax collector Beverly Hines allowed her friends and family to avoid paying taxes, failing to collect as much as $300,000 in town of less than 250 people.

"If I have to pay my taxes -- and I have to scrape to do it, my wife and I are retired -- then I expect everybody in town has to pay their fair share," said Don Palmer. "That's not what's been happening."

That accusation prompted the state to get involved. The Department of Revenue ordered an independent audit of Windsor's books for the calendar year 2007.

Among the findings:

Several tax payments based on the tax collector's records could not be verified to bank deposits.
A few individual payments were applied to multiple property tax accounts.
Property tax amounts assessed were sometimes manually adjusted in the tax collector's books.

The audit goes on to say the tax collector's office lacked "fiscal integrity" and "recommends that the board of selectmen turn the audit findings over to appropriate law enforcement agencies."

Board of selectmen chairwoman Darlene Cuddy refused to stop for an interview. News 9 also was turned away at Hines' home.

Department of Revenue Commissioner Kevin Clougherty expressed vindication in forcing Windsor audit.

"I think what we are going to have to do is get the message out to other cities and towns that this isn't going to be tolerated," Clougherty said.

Later Friday, Windsor selectmen said they would sit down and answer questions once the legal proceedings are complete. The town attorney didn't return calls.