February 06, 2013 BERLIN — Tri-County Community Action Program (TCCAP) "continues to review its programs and make adjustments to its operations and staffing to regain control over its finances," Special Trustee Todd Fahey stated in a press release issued on Friday, Feb. 1.
"As part of this process, TCCAP is now seeking to fill its vacant Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position as it continues to restructure and rebuild its senior management team," stated the press release issued by Fahey from Orr & Reno, the Concord-based firm at which he is a shareholder.
Fahey was appointed by Probate Judge David King on Dec. 14, 2012, to provide oversight to the nonprofit organization after the state Attorney General's Office put it into receivership.
"A new CFO will permit TCCAP to permanently address some of the issues that lead to its current fiscal problems," Fahey pointed out. "To date, and despite the agency's fiscal problems, service interruptions have been minimal.
"The expectation is that TCCAP will continue to deliver critical services to residents of Grafton, Coös and Carroll counties," the special trustee reassured. "If changes to services are to occur, TCCAP plans to work with regulators and funders to ensure a smooth transition during any such changes.
"While there will likely be some changes to some programming and services, TCCAP – as it continues to work with regulators, creditors and funders – expects to continue operating for the foreseeable future, barring any unforeseen circumstances occurring."
Citing both "economic reasons and a lack of alignment with its core mission," TCCAP does, however, expect to discontinue operating the Northern Forest Heritage Park on the banks of the Androscoggin River. "TCCAP is now in discussion with public officials, its lenders and private funders about transitioning that program to a more suitable entity to own and/or operate it.
"TCCAP has many (event) reservations planned for the Park, (and it) expects to honor those reservations on terms previously agreed upon," Fahey wrote. The agency's goal is "to make the transition seamless for those who have scheduled events there in the upcoming months or who enjoy this community resource."
Fahey pointed out that — just as it has "historically done" — TCCAP will continue to seek funding from private, local, county, state and federal funders to support its programs."
"Without continued funding from such sources, services will most certainly need to be modified or discontinued," Fahey said.
Recognizing that many towns are now considering providing funding to TCCAP, local funders with concerns about the organization as a whole or their particular programs are asked to call chief operations officer (COO) Peter Higbee (752-7001) or Special Trustee Todd Fahey (223-9144) with any questions about specific programs.
Early last month, Fahey outlined the scope of the agency and it immediate response: "TCCAP employs approximately 275 people, runs dozens of programs and serves thousands of North Country residents." As part of its review and efforts to stabilize its financial situation, which includes business reorganization and engaging financial professionals to provide assistance, he reported that TCCAP had furloughed eight workers from its weatherization program for one month, permanently laid-off three others, announced the discontinuance of certain employee benefits as of Feb. 1 and implemented pay cuts (which varied depending upon rate of pay) to nearly all staff members.
If further cuts or substantial changes are made to its programs, Fahey pledged that TCCAP "will look first to make (them) in programs that will not impact the delivery of food, shelter, heat or otherwise directly affect the safety of those who are enrolled in its programs."
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