[Amended 5-13-2019 ATM by Art. 23]
There shall be a Finance Committee of 9 voters,
as outlined in Section 3-6(a) of the Charter.
[Amended 5-13-2019 ATM by Art. 23]
The Finance Committee shall consider matters relating to the
appropriation, the borrowing and the expenditure of money by the Town,
its indebtedness; the methods of administration of its various officers
and departments; and may make recommendations to the Town, or to any
Town board, officer or committee, relative to such matters. In the
discharge of its duty, said committee, relative to such matters, said
committee shall have free access to all pertinent information in the
possession of any Town board, officer or committee. See Charter Section
3-6 (b) for additional duties and powers.
[Amended 5-10-2010 ATM, Art. 12]
The various boards, officers and committees
charged with the expenditures of Town money shall, before February
28, prepare detailed estimates of the amounts deemed by them necessary
for the ensuing fiscal year, with explanatory statements of the reasons
for the ensuing fiscal year, with explanatory statements of the reason
for any changes from the amounts appropriated for the same purpose
during the current year. Said estimates and statements will be submitted
to the Town Administrator on or before February 28 of each year and
by him/her transmitted forthwith to the Finance Committee.
The Finance Committee shall duly consider the
estimates and statements submitted to it by the various Town boards,
officers and committees, and may confer with them, and hold hearings,
if deemed advisable. Public hearings shall be called as outlined in
Section 6-5 of the Charter. The Finance Committee shall thereupon
approve or disapprove the amount, in whole or in part, of the appropriation
so requested, and shall make a report of all matters considered by
it, with recommendations or suggestions relative thereto. Said report
shall be sent to the Selectmen who shall have it published and distributed
seven days before the annual business meeting, (Annual Town Meeting)
and shall also contain (a) a statement of the doings of the Board
during the year, (b) a statement of the bonded indebtedness of the
Town and Town's debt limit imposed by law, (c) the amount of free
cash in the excess and deficiency account, and (d) its recommendation
or suggestions on those articles in the warrant which shall have been
submitted to the Selectmen.
The Finance Committee shall duly consider all
articles in warrants for Special Town Meetings, and shall make a report
of all matters considered by it, with recommendations relative thereto,
which shall be given on or before said special meeting.
The Town Administrator's proposed budget may
be subject to amendments by the Finance Committee per Section 6-5,
of the Charter.