The fiscal year of the town shall be as required by the General
Laws.
[Amended by Chapter 163 of
the Acts of 2020]
At least 120 days prior to the start of the fiscal year, the
Town Administrator shall submit to the select board and file with
the Finance Committee a proposed budget for the ensuing fiscal year
with an accompanying budget message and supporting documents.
[Amended by Chapter 163 of
the Acts of 2020]
The message of the Town Administrator shall explain the budget
for all town agencies both in fiscal terms and in terms of work programs.
It shall outline proposed financial policies of the town for the ensuing
fiscal year, describe important features of the budget, indicate any
major variations from the current year in financial policies, expenditures
and revenues, together with the reasons for such changes, summarize
the town's debt position and include other material as the Town Administrator
deems desirable or the select board may require.
[Amended by Chapter 163 of
the Acts of 2020]
The budget shall provide a complete financial plan of all town
funds and activities, including the budget adopted by the School Committee
for the ensuing year. Except for the school budget or as may be required
by statute or by this Charter, it shall be in the form which the Town
Administrator deems desirable or the select board may require. In
the town administrator's presentation of the budget, the Town Administrator
shall utilize modern concepts of fiscal presentation so as to furnish
maximum information and the best financial control. The budget shall
show in detail all estimated income from the proposed property tax
levy and other sources and all proposed expenditures, including debt
service, for the following year. The budget shall be arranged to show
the actual and estimated income and expenditures for the previous,
current and ensuing fiscal years and shall indicate in separate sections:
(b)
Proposed capital expenditures during the ensuing fiscal year, detailed
by town agency, and the proposed method of financing each such capital
expenditure; and
(c)
Estimated surplus revenue and free cash at the end of the current
fiscal year, including estimated balances in any special accounts
established for specific purposes.
[Amended by Chapter 163 of
the Acts of 2020]
The select board and the Finance Committee shall jointly hold
one or more public hearings on the proposed budget not less than 14
days prior to the Town Meeting at which it is to be submitted for
adoption.
When the budget proposed by the Town Administrator, including
the budget adopted by the School Committee insofar as permitted by
law, is before the Town Meeting for action, it shall first be subject
to amendments, if any, proposed by the Finance Committee before any
other amendments shall be proposed.
[Amended by Chapter 163 of
the Acts of 2020]
The Town Administrator shall submit a capital improvement program
to the select board and the Finance Committee at least 150 days before
the start of each fiscal year. It shall be based on material prepared
by the Capital Planning Committee of the town, including: (a) a clear,
concise general summary of its contents; (b) a list of all capital
improvements proposed to be undertaken during the next ensuing five
years, with supporting information as to the needs of each capital
improvement; (c) cost estimates, methods of financing and recommended
time schedules for each improvement; and (d) the estimated annual
cost of operating and maintaining each facility and piece of major
equipment involved.
This information is to be annually revised by the Capital Planning
Committee with regard to the capital improvements still pending or
in the process of being acquired, improved or constructed.
The Capital Planning Committee shall be composed of the Town
Accountant, ex officio, one member of the Town Finance Committee appointed
by and from it, one member of the Planning and Zoning Board appointed
by and from it and four additional members to be appointed by the
Moderator. The members from the Finance Committee and the Planning
Board shall be appointed for one-year terms. The other members shall
be appointed for four-year terms, such that the term of office of
one member will expire each year. Vacancies shall be filled for the
unexpired terms and in the manner of the original appointments.
Statements summarizing the budget and the capital improvements
program and related warrant articles as adopted by the town meetings
shall be made available at the office of the Town Administrator not
more than 20 days after their adoption.
[Amended by Chapter 163 of
the Acts of 2020]
The Town Administrator shall be the chief fiscal officer of
the town. Warrants for the payment of town funds prepared by the Town
Accountant in accordance with the provisions of the General Law shall
be submitted to the Town Administrator. The approval of any such warrant
by the Town Administrator shall be sufficient authority to authorize
payment by the Town Treasurer, but the select board shall approve
all warrants in the event of the absence of the Town Administrator
or a vacancy in the office of Town Administrator.
