Bourne Police Investigating Hoxie Renovation Project Amid Accounting Concerns

IMs.painting at Hoxie in Bourne.Feb.16 009BOURNE –  The renovation of the former Ella F. Hoxie School in Bourne into an arts and cultural center has come to a halt amid a police investigation focused on the use of tax money.

Chief Dennis Woodside told CapeCod.com that his department was asked to “look into some accounting matters” as they relate to the Community Preservation Act.

Woodside characterized the investigation as involving “accounting irregularities.”

“We’re looking into how certain matters are processed for payment,” he said.

The two detectives working on the case are also looking at all invoices submitted to the CPC for payment to, “verify their veracity.”

Woodside said there were a couple of issues that popped up during processing that became a “red flag.” He said that prompted the town attorney to refer the case to police.

The town has also hired an independent auditor.

“We’re looking to see what is going on and to determine if criminality is involved,” Woodside said. He was unable to comment further because of the ongoing nature of the probe.

Meanwhile, the entire project is now on hold.

Bourne residents previously approved $250,000 in Community Preservation Act funds for the group conducting the renovation.

The center’s mission is to foster awareness, participation, appreciation and celebration of art, science and culture for all residents and visitors.

Renovating the facility was a grassroots effort to save and historically preserve the Ella F. Hoxie School building.

The town of Bourne sold the former school to organizers for $1 and the purchase and sales agreement was predicated on a list of contingencies including a historic restoration.

Vice President Scott Fitzmaurice previously said almost $750,000 has been raised in total towards the $2.7 million budget.

By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com News Director

 

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