Town Meeting Article
Posted this on the listserv. Thought I would include it here as well.
Last year the Town’s annual budget had a surplus of approximately $300,000. Should voters decide how that money is spent or should the Selectboard? How about past surpluses and future budget surpluses? Today the total accumulated surplus is about $850,000. And, specific voter approval is needed to spend that money. However, if Article 7 is approved, control of that money (and future surpluses) goes to the Selectboard. That is my understanding.
In general, I don’t like concept of giving up voter control of excess cash for unspecified reasons. The need for Article 7 is not self evident to me. But I have an open mind on the issue. I would like to hear from others, on or off the listserv, why Article 7 is necessary or appropriate.
So where are the checks and balances if the SB has the ultimate authority to spend as they deem fit? There’s no finance committee now. We’ve been spending an inordinate amount of money on studies. Why give carte blanche to the SB? Who crafted this Article? The Selectboard for their own use?