Finance Committee

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Members

  • Teresa Hamm, Board Member
    Term Expires: June 30, 2025
  • Robert Gauvin, Chairperson
    Term Expires: June 2, 2023
  • Vacant
    Term Expires: June 29, 2024
  • Elizabeth C Huidekoper, Board Member
    Term Expires: June 6, 2023
  • Brian R O'Hare, Board Member
    Term Expires: June 30, 2024
  • Janine Simmons, Vice- Chairperson
    Term Expires: June 2, 2023
  • William Boles, Board Member
    Term Expires: June 1, 2025
  • John V. Sousa, Board Member
    Term Expires: June 1, 2025
  • Adam Silva, Board Member
    Term Expires: June 30, 2024

Role of the Finance Committee

Purpose of the Finance Committee

  • The finance committee serves as the town's official fiscal watchdog.
  • Its primary responsibility is to advise and make recommendations to town meeting on the budget and other areas with financial implications.
  • The Finance Committee also administers the town's "reserve fund."

Makeup of the Finance Committee

  • The Finance Committee consists of nine members.
  • Members are appointed by the moderator to three year terms (each year one third of the members are appointed).

Authority of the Finance Committee

  • The authoritative power Finance Committee is limited to the administration of the reserve fund and a limited power to transfer money between budget categories at the end of a fiscal year.
  • The primary responsibility of the Finance Committee is to advise town meeting. Because appropriation authority rests with Town Meeting, the power that the Finance Committee holds is a function of the credibility it has earned with town meeting members.

The Budget Process

  • The Finance Committee's receives budgets from the executive branch, analyzes them, holds hearings where the department heads and the public can testify and, subsequently, presents a balanced budget to Town Meeting.
  • Finance Committee must not only examine direct costs, it must read between the line items and investigate financial implications of policy decisions.
  • The budget presented Town Meeting is the Finance Committee's consensus recommendation. This budget may be amended by town meeting, provided that amendments maintain a balanced budget.
  • The Finance Committee should promote a budget process that results in a clear and meaningful budget document with analyses, explanations, and justifications for its recommendations that can present voters with a clear picture of town government: what it is, where it is, and where it is heading.

Relationship with Other Elements of Town Government

  • The Finance Committee serves in an oversight role. It acts as a check on powers of the executive arm of the town government (including the treasurer, town administrator, select board, and school department).
  • This does not mean the Finance Committee should have an adversarial relationship with the Select Board, administrators, or other departments. In fact, the finance committee should develop a good working relationship with all-by being open to suggestions, alternative opinions, and working out compromises on key issues.

Helpful Documents