07/31/2023 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE Minutes

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4 *Monday, July 31, 2023 Charter Review Committee Minutes* Greg McKelvey said that the Finance Committee works in conjunction with the Treasurer/Tax Collector and Finance Director. Rodney Collins added that the Finance committee has the final say on the audit. The Town Manager explained how the department proposed goals, budgets and standards are carried out. The five year plan is outlined by the departments is reviewed annually. This is where the Capital Improvement Program comes in to play. Also the budget message contains proposed goals explained in the narrative. 6.6 Action on the Budget In section 6.6 the publication for the Finance Committee public hearing should be posted on the Town bulletin board, website and newspaper. Greg McKelvey referenced section 6.6 (b) in which the Finance Committee may require the Town Manager or any other town agency to assist in finishing the budget. It was also noted that the Finance Team refers to the Town Accountant, Treasurer and Assessor. The Committee discussed the possibility of the budget not being approved at town meeting and what the course of action would be if there was an amendment, also if there is request to increase the budget will there be an offset elsewhere? The Town Manager will refer to Town Counsel. 6.8 Capital Improvement Program In the last sentence of the first paragraph of section 6.8 strike (if any) 6.9 Independent Audit The Committee recommended revisiting the language "the award of a contract to audit shall be made by the Finance Committee each year" with respect to contract duration. Furthermore the Finance Director should be included in the discussion about the September and March deadlines set in the charter. Don Myers added that it would be good practice to change the auditor every 5 years. Article 7 General Provisions 7.1 Elections Mary Waygan said the committee should check to make sure that the date fixed by bylaw is actually there in the bylaw. 7.4 Rules of Construction Cathy Lewis recommended looking into adding inclusionary language. For example the School has updated their policies to have inclusionary language. "They, them".