CARTHAGE — A change in auditor to conduct the annual review of municipal finances has resulted in a much later than usual annual town meeting.

Steve Brown, first selectman, said the town may not have its annual meeting until the fall. The audit must first be completed, then the annual report put together, he said.

The town meeting is generally scheduled for March.

“We started work early this year,” he said Monday afternoon. But changing from the town’s usual auditor part way through the process has delayed everything, he said.

The town had had its books reviewed annually by Harold E. Blake Accounting Services of Hallowell for many years. Blake had also conducted the annual financial review of Rumford, Peru and other towns. However, it was discovered that Blake was not licensed as a certified public accountant.

Blake could not be reached for comment for this story.

Brown said the Lewiston firm of Larry Campbell was then hired to conduct the review.

Campbell said Monday afternoon that he was very recently hired. He declined further comment except to say that he wasn’t sure when the Carthage audit would be completed.

Along with holding up the annual business meeting are the elections of several municipal offices, including the selectman’s seat held by Bob Weston, and those of the town clerk, treasurer and tax collector.

Brown said each officer will continue to serve until elections are held. Bills are also being paid, according to last year’s adopted municipal budget of $188,450. That figure does not include Franklin County or Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10 assessments.

The Budget Committee had adopted a $182,427 municipal budget in February for presentation to residents at a town meeting. That is the figure residents will act on when the town meeting is held.

Brown expects the current tax rate of $14.70 per $1,000 valuation to increase because of higher school taxes.