Trust Fund Commission clashes with Gossels family over delayed plaque payment

WAYLAND -- June 26, 2023, Trust Fund Commission feuds with donors over a $179 plaque bill. Donor Werner Gossels and family confronted the three-member panel about delayed payment for the C. Peter R. Gossels Good Government Award plaque, which vendor International Bronze refused to refill until last year's invoice was paid. Public Ceremonies Committee Chair Richard Turner warned the town risked losing the vendor: "Something fell through the cracks." Commissioner Adam Gutbezahl rejected a standing annual disbursement, calling pre-approval "a dereliction of my duty." The commission also voted 3-0 to approve Millennium Fund disbursements as of May 25 despite a KP Law opinion that the fund is a gift account under MGL 44 §53A and belongs under the Select Board. Bonnie Gossels said the Fund for Academic Excellence now exceeds $400,000 but has not been reported on the template she supplied since fiscal 2016.