The spending patterns of the nonprofit became an issue this week, when the Boston Herald reported that executive director Nancy Brennan declined to reveal salaries for herself or her staff.
Initially, Brennan had reached out to her public relations consultant, erroneously sending an e-mail intended for her to the Herald reporter, asking whether she should ignore the question, reply, or respond after deadline, the Herald reported this week.
Brennan did not return a call seeking comment last night.
The conservancy is a private nonprofit created in partnership with the state and city to manage the parkland created when the Central Artery was submerged as the Big Dig. Though the conservancy was formed to manage the park without public funding, it relies heavily on the state for help. About half of the Greenway’s $4.7 million budget comes from the state Department of Transportation, the largest single contributor to the Greenway.
As a result, Transportation Secretary Richard A. Davey requested detailed financial information in a letter sent to Brennan Wednesday, demanding all financial statements, quarterly reports, and salaries, as well as other sources of income.
A spokeswoman for Davey said last night that the office has received the records, but Davey has not yet seen them.
A 2008 state law required the state to fund half of the conservancy’s annual budget, up to $5.5 million. The state is kicking in $2.1 million in cash and in-kind contributions under the current terms. State officials are currently reviewing the terms of the deal.
State Representative Aaron M. Michlewitz, a Democrat from the North End, has filed a bill pending in the Legislature that would cap the state allocation at $4 million and add oversight mechanisms to the conservancy’s operations.
He declined to comment on Brennan’s salary last night, but said she has done well in the job. He said he believes the state should continue to provide funding.
“I believe in the public-private partnership,’’ he said.
