07/31/2023 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Minutes

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2 *Monday, July 31, 2023 Charter Review Committee Minutes* The Committee discussed the definition of Official Town Bulletin and posting locations. Currently the "Official Town Bulletin" is the Town Hall, Senior Center, Water District, Post Office and the Library. Cathy Lewis suggested adding a section about standing committees and it should be included under the Select Board. Attorney will guide the Charter Review Committee with the language. New Business Article 6 Finance & Fiscal Procedures Mary Waygan comment about contract lengths and possibly making it a parking lot topic for future discussion. Rodney Collins added that the Town Manager's contract is governed by state law. Mary Waygan said that when procuring services and goods there should be an end date for contracts and believes it should be included in the charter. 6.2 School Committee Budget Mary Waygan also proposed adding electronic bulletin board to section (a). Don Myers proposed addressing it in a previous charter article, so there isn't so much repetition, "less is more". In section (b) the committee discussed the timeline for submitting the budget and possibly extending the timeframe or deadline. The Town Manager said that in terms of the budget a longer timeline would be helpful. Don Myers stated that with the school budget being so fluid, more time would allow for the budget to be analyzed better. Rodney Collins said overall the process runs effectively but it would be nice to extend the timeline out a bit. The budgets are submitted no later than October 1st and are for July of the following year which makes it difficult to predict the rise in costs. Cathy Lewis said the timeline is working but the more time the better because there are so many variables particularly with the school budget. Carol Sherman asked if school put aside provisions for unanticipated expenses. Mary Waygan said that the school can't have a "rainy day fund", she believes it is governed by state/municipal law. Don Myers specified that the school can have a special education stabilization fund.