Key Takeaways from the Finance Committee (FC), April 20, 2023

The FC reviewed the Budgets — capital and operating. They approved both budgets noting there was only a 1.3% over last year (Town Administrator noted it was $73,638 or an increase of .65% in expenditures only).

FC reviewed the Articles on the Warrant except items 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 saying they were "not financial". They noted that Article # 12 "To Transfer and Appropriate Funds, and Article # 15 Community Preservation Committee grants, expenditures were grouped together and voted on as a group. After the Article is read, the Town Moderator will ask if anyone wishes to "hold" any item in the group. The Article will be voted on as a whole. However, if there is a request to hold any item, that item will be pulled out of the Article — debated and voted on separately. Any Town Meeting attendee can request a hold.

FC approved all Articles on the Warrant except Article 20 - The Citizen's Petition. They argued against the members of the FC being elected rather than appointed. Although one member acknowledged that voting is more democratic, we all appreciate the democratic process, he thought it would interrupt continuity. Other members said they would argue at Town Meeting in favor of keeping the current members of FC in place. The Chair stressed that the FC is apolitical.

Editor's notes: 1. Currently, members of the Finance Committee have terms and are re-appointed or not at the end of a term. The petition says - "The current members will complete their terms as specified and then run for membership on the committee in the election held that year if he/she so chooses." Therefore the "continuity" of the FC will be identical and only the method by which they become members changes. 2. The Chair and members of FC actively support and put signs on their lawns in favor of a candidate. That is their right and an indication of their civic engagement, but is not apolitical.

Photo: Lionel Delevingne