Laserfiche WebLink
i <br /> Finance Committee Minutes <br /> November 18, 1987 <br /> Page 2. <br /> Jean Thomas noted that she thought they had been somewhat remiss in not showing _ <br /> the public what was available to work with. and not showing a running total of funds <br /> at the town meeting. Carl agreed that some sort of audio-visual aid should be <br /> used and that the budget should be a joint presentation of the Selectmen and <br /> the Finance Committee. Andrew Gottlieb thought it was important to stress that <br /> we are going to try to stay within the constraints of what is available. In <br /> regard to hiring new people to cut wages, he felt that this message should be <br /> given to Departments, and new positions that are created to cut wages will be <br /> viewed more favorably than new positions for new projects. <br /> Ed Dolan expressed his concern about what would happen if a department <br /> went for a new position and and it was not approved - the new position and the <br /> wages would both be lost. Joe Murphy explained, that for example Article 1 <br /> would be for new position, if you pass Article 1 then we will cut wages in <br /> Article 2. <br /> Vern Polka questioned the Selectman as to who is responsible for determining <br /> the order of articles on the Warrant. By the time the town gets to the last <br /> articles there are no funds left. Joe Murphy noted that in the past it was done <br /> by lottery. Carl questioned if it would be possible to limit articles on the <br /> warrant, however, Murphy noted that this would just force departments to put <br /> monies back into the budgets. Every department has the right to have articles. <br /> The question was raised - Do we need a by-law change so that Selectmen and <br /> Finance Committee members can review and prioritize articles? Will Hansen stated <br /> that if' both the Finance Committee and Selectmen make joint recommendations it would <br /> have a iot more influence on town meeting floor. The present by-law states <br /> that you can not prioritize articles. Gottlieb would like to change by-law <br /> to group and prioritize. <br /> Proposed By-Law Change <br /> Articles shall be submitted on the Warrant as determined by the Board of Selectmen. <br /> Murphy noted that if the. articles are not ready by the deadline they will <br /> not get on the warrant. This alone will eliminate some articles. Vern noted <br /> that the Finance Committee does not have figures on some articles till the <br /> town meeting floor and this means there is no official vote on record in <br /> Finance Committee minutes. Murphy noted that there is a problem - the problem is <br /> the bid system and also when exactly the town meeting will meet quorum requirements. <br /> Decisions must be a quick turnaround as bids are only good for a- certain period <br /> of time. Murphy noted that all non-bid articles will be required to have a <br /> price by the third week of March. If no price is assigned to the article by <br /> the last week in March, it doesn't get on the warrant. <br /> Carl suggested that when the budgets are being reviewed the department <br /> articles should be reviewed at the same time. Murphy noted that this could be <br /> done, however, dept. have the option to submit articles later. Heller noted <br /> that reviewing both at the same time might eliminate the need for some articles. <br /> P Murphy noted that he felt that if the Finance Committee and the Selectmen <br /> disapprove an article it should be explained on the warrant, recommendations <br /> should appear on the warrant - notjust given on town meeting floor. <br />