6-1-1. 
The town administrator shall appoint a chief financial officer who shall provide oversight for the financial operations of the town, including accounting, collections, management of funds, borrowing, property assessments, and preparation of documents by the board of assessors related to financial matters of the town.
6-1-2. 
The chief financial officer shall be a person especially fitted by education, training and previous experience to perform the duties of the office. The minimum qualification shall be a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration from a duly accredited college or university and five (5) years of relevant experience in Massachusetts municipal finance, or comparable education and experience as determined by the town administrator.
6-1-3. 
The term of appointment shall be three (3) years.
6-2-1. 
The chief financial officer will serve as the town accountant in accordance with Ch. 41. Sec. 55-61A of the M.G.L.A.
6-2-2. 
The chief financial officer will oversee the accounting department and coordinate all financial planning. budgeting and any other financial matters as determined by the town administrator.
6-2-3. 
The chief financial officer will serve as the head of the finance office, which will consist of the chief financial officer, the treasurer-collector, and the board of assessors.
6-2-4. 
The chief financial officer will serve ex officio of the finance committee.
6-2-5. 
The chief financial officer will assist the town administrator in the preparation of the annual operational budget of the town.
6-2-6. 
The town administrator shall delegate to the chief financial officer such duties and powers as are necessary for the administration of the financial matters of the town in accordance with M.G.L.A. and Special Laws, this charter, town by-laws, and regulations established by the board of selectmen.
6-3-1. 
The fiscal year of the town shall begin on the first day of July and shall end on the last day of June, unless another period is required by M.G.L.A.
6-4-1. 
Annually, prior to the first day of October, the town administrator shall establish and issue a budget schedule which shall set forth the calendar dates relating to the development of the annual operating budget for the ensuing fiscal year.
6-4-2. 
The schedule shall be in accordance with this charter unless deviation therefrom is recommended by the town administrator and approved by the board of selectmen and the finance committee.
6-4-3. 
Annually, prior to the first day of October, the town administrator shall request and receive from the board of selectmen, the chief financial officer, treasurer-collector and the board of assessors the estimated revenue for the ensuing fiscal year. Upon receipt of any additional specific fiscal data provided by the commonwealth or any other source the above officials shall within ten (10) working days revise, update and submit the data forthwith to the town administrator.
6-4-4. 
Annually, prior to the first day of November, the board of selectmen, after consultation with the town administrator, shall issue a policy statement that shall establish the general guidelines for the next town budget.
6-4-5. 
All department heads and all multiple member bodies shall submit detailed budget requests to the town administrator at least one hundred and fifty (150) days before the date of the annual town meeting.
6-4-6. 
At least one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the scheduled date of the annual town meeting, the town administrator shall submit to the board of selectmen a comprehensive draft budget for all town functions for the ensuing fiscal year and an accompanying budget message.
6-4-7. 
The draft budget message shall explain the draft budget in fiscal terms and in terms of what specific projects are contemplated in the year ahead, it shall:
(a) 
outline the proposed financial policies of the town for the ensuing fiscal year.
(b) 
describe the important features of the budget.
(c) 
indicate any major changes from the current fiscal year in financial policy, expenditures and revenues, together with the reasons for such changes.
(d) 
summarize the town’s debt position, and
(e) 
include such other material as the town administrator may deem appropriate.
6-4-8. 
The draft budget shall provide a complete financial plan for all town funds and activities and shall be in such form as the town administrator, in consultation with the chief financial officer and the finance committee, may establish. The draft budget shall indicate proposed expenditures for current operations and for capital projects during the ensuing year, detailed by each town agency and by specific purposes and projects.
6-4-9. 
The board of selectmen shall, within thirty (30) days following the submission of the draft budget by the town administrator, adopt a proposed budget, with or without amendments, and shall submit it to the finance committee. The board of selectmen shall also transmit the budget request of the school committee, with its recommendations thereon, to the finance committee.
6-4-10. 
The finance committee shall conduct one or more public hearings on the proposed budget, including the school budget, and shall issue printed recommendations and detailed explanations of all financial articles in an annual finance committee report, in accordance with by-law, at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled date of the annual town meeting. In preparing its recommendations, the committee may require the town administrator, any town department, office, board, commission, or committee to appear and furnish it with appropriate additional financial reports and budgetary information.
6-4-11. 
The board of selectmen shall present its proposed budget to the town meeting.