The fiscal year of the town shall begin on the first day of
July and shall end on the last day of June, unless the laws of the
Commonwealth require another period.
Within the time fixed by by-law, before the Annual Town Meeting
is to convene, the Town Administrator, after consultation with the
Board of Selectmen, shall submit to the Finance Committee a proposed
operating budget for the agencies for which the selectmen are responsible
for the ensuing fiscal year with an accompanying budget message and
supporting documents. Additionally, elected officials shall submit
to both the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee a proposed
operating budget for the ensuing fiscal year with an accompanying
budget message and supporting documents.
The budget message of the Board of Selectmen shall explain the
budget for all town agencies both in fiscal terms and in terms of
work programs. It shall outline proposed financial policies of the
town for the ensuing fiscal year, describe important features of the
budget, indicate any major variations from the current year in financial
policies, expenditures and revenues together with the reasons for
such changes, summarize the town's debt position and include other
material as the Finance Committee deems desirable, or the selectmen
may reasonably require.
The proposed operating budget shall provide a complete financial
plan for all town funds and activities for the ensuing fiscal year.
Except as may otherwise be required by laws of the Commonwealth, or
this charter, it shall be in the form which the Finance Committee
deems desirable or the selectmen may require. The presentation of
the budget shall utilize modern concepts of fiscal presentations so
as to furnish maximum information and the best financial control.
The Board of Selectmen shall be the chief fiscal officer of
the town. Warrants for the payment of town funds prepared by the Town
Accountant in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth
shall be submitted to the Town Administrator for review.
