Voters in Lyman have the opportunity Thursday to get the town’s finances in order, and we hope they will support the measures at the Special Town Meeting Oct. 18 to do so.

After the town’s treasurer, Carol Sanborn, who also served as selectmen’s clerk, resigned from her positions in September, the beginning of the annual audit process showed the town’s finances were in disarray and some bills still needed to be paid.

While voters did not have a clear figure at a meeting earlier this year, auditor Ron Smith of RHR Smith & Company, along with his staff, spent more than a day going through the town’s records to determine the outstanding amounts owed ”“ including $1,250 owed to his firm for work he did early this year related to the transfer of the Goodwins Mills Fire Department to the towns of Lyman and Dayton.

In addition, $12,578 is the outstanding legal bill. The town spent a total of $50,697 on legal fees ”“ more than anticipated, some of which was due the fire department transfer. The fees were paid in part through expenditure of carry-over funds from the previous year, leaving the $12,578 balance.

Selectmen are also asking voters to approve spending up to $7,000 to sort out the town’s finances. Smith estimated that would cost between $3,000 and $5,000. The warrant includes awarding the work to RHR Smith & Company.

This mess needs to get sorted out, and the town needs to pay its bills. Having a financial services company and lawyer available for town business is important. Annual audits ensure that the town is paying its bills and receiving revenues it is due, as well as making sure nothing is astray.

Although it’s unfortunate that Sanborn left things the way she did, it’s now the responsibility of the townspeople and elected officials to make sure the situation is cleared up ”“ part of which includes approving additional funds for legal and financial work that has already been completed.

If the funds are not approved, they could potentially have to be paid by town officials.

According to the Maine Municipal Association’s Municipal Officers Manual, June 2010 revised edition, if the expenditures are not approved at the Special Town Meeting and residents chose to pursue the issue in court, a judge could order the town’s officials to pay for the expenditures. The section, titled Authorized Expenditures (Overdrafts), states, in part, “In the unlikely event that the Town Meeting refuses to authorize an overdraft, and one or more taxpayers want to press the issue in court, it is possible that a judge will order the municipal officers to repay the municipality for the overdrawn amount out of their personal assets.”

Some selectmen have expressed concern over that possibility.

Selectmen Chairwoman Victoria Gavel said Tuesday she had heard that those who signed the warrant for the expenditure ”“ the three selectmen at the time, herself, Steve Marble and Leo Ruel, and then-treasurer Carol Sanborn ”“ could be held personally liable for the costs if the overdraft is not approved.

“Some people have said it’ll never happen ”¦ because there are loopholes,” she said. “I hope I never find out.”

It would be unfortunate, and unfair, if selectmen and other municipal officials were held responsible for fees associated with town business, which is why we urge voters to approve the expenditures at the meeting Thursday.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham representing the majority opinion of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.