HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-08-31-AC-MIN.pdf 67
Meeting of the Appropriation Committee, August 31, 1966, 8:00 p.m.
Present: Frank Parrish, Chairman; J. Blaisdell; A. Gary; A. Kenney;
D. Noyes; L. Zehner; R. Perry, Comptroller; R. Souza
Members of Structure of Government Committee: Margery Batting
Chairman; Homer Hagedorn; Lotte Scharfman
Reserve Fund Request
Dick Perry requested the transfer of $250 to have the Burroughs
machine type changed from large to regular, and its capacity increased.
This will be a one—time charge. The Burroughs Co. has agreed to set
up the machine which will be borrowed yearly for the assessors without
charging the additional $90 per year conversion charge. Approved.
Structure of Govt. Committee
r-4 Frank Parrish had sent a letter outlining the feelings of the
Appropriation Committee about sections of the MIA report concerning
Finance Committees.
Function of Committee
Homer Haedorn stated that their understanding was that the Appropria—
tion Committee now operated as follows:
1. received from depts. budgets indicating what they would like
2. discussed with depts. what that meant
3. arrived at an over—all budget for all town depts.
Whether time tables were held to was up to Approp. Committee.
4. made a series of recommendations to Town Meeting in very concise form
5. transferred from Reserve Fund between meetings.
Members of Approp. Committee added that members of the committee serve
on other committees, e.g. teacher salary committee, barn ctee. , etc;
that Mr. Perry is trying to clear up old appropriations; that advisory
work is done; and that the committee is involved in planning ahead for
the next budget (checking on E & D build—up, for example).
The difference between the appropriation function and budgetary function
was discussed. Marge Battin suggests giving an opinion on all financial
matters and more detailed reasons. John Blaisdell suggests that Articles
could be presented by Appropriation Committee.
Method of Appointment
Appropriation Committee feels that there should be a.3—member appointing
authority and cannot find a reasonable substitute for Selectmen. The
number of disagreements with Selectmen argues against the statement
that Selectmen's sharing in appointment obscures the function of Committee.
Homer Hagedorn suggested that the Approp. Ctee. cannot look credible
to the Town Meeting so long as selected by Selectmen.
Frank Parrish suggested that one possible alternate to consider was
some method by which Town Meeting itself could appoint, for example,
an appointive committee from T.M. of possibly 3 members, not to act
as a committee, but to act as individuals on appointing committees.
the difficulty is to work out a method of electing such a committee
from the Town Meeting.
Timin7 — Closing warrant Articles in December is ineffective because
only the titles are closed, no supporting data are necessary, and
figures are sometimes available only at Town Meeting. Brookline
enforces early closing of warrant by ruling that all supporting
data, numbers, metes and boundaries must be available in December
when the warrant is closed. Appropriation Committee would probably
comment on other Articles, e.g. rezoning, if information were
available earlier.
Number of Committee Members
Appropriation Commitee recommends 9. If it took on t:.ese additional
functions of advising on additional Articles, would still recommend
a 9—man committee.
Joining Capital Expenditures and Appropriation Committees
Possibility that capital planning would be subordinated.
Joining C.E. with Planning Board has sou►e logic, but agaan, the
Planning Board might not have time, and capital planning mitidam might
be subordinated.
Since we now have a different financial system, with the addition of
a Comptroller, it was sugested that we might wait a year or two to
see how this system works before suggesting any change.
Treasurer—Clerk
Advisable to separate these two offices.
Possible to join Treasurer and Collector.
he treasurer now makes up the payroll, procekises and signs checks.
Comptroller can take over the payroll and check processing, then
send down checks fo:. signature.
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth -k'. ''ouza, secretary
ISI