Advisory Committee

The Open Meeting Law requires public bodies to create and approve minutes in a timely manner. A “timely manner” is considered to be within the next three public body meetings or 30 days from the date of the meeting, whichever is later, unless the public body can show good cause for further delay. The Attorney General encourages minutes to be approved at a public body’s next meeting whenever possible. The law requires that existing minutes be made available to the public within ten days of a request, whether they have been approved or remain in draft form. Materials or other exhibits used by the public body in an open meeting must also be made available to the public within ten days of a request. 

The Advisory Committee consists of nine members appointed by the Town Moderator.

Committee members are concerned citizens with a strong interest in the workings of Town government. The Committee’s function is to review financial and other articles on the Town Meeting warrant and make recommendations to the Town Meeting. 

During February and March, the Advisory Committee receives the Selectmen’s budget and holds budget review sessions with various Town departments and boards.  The Committee develops a set of budget recommendations for presentation to the Annual Town Meeting and informs the Selectmen of any changes to their proposed budget.  The Advisory Committee’s recommendations on the budget and other warrant articles are mailed to all registered voters.
 

Each year the Advisory Committee sets aside a sum of money in the Annual Budget which is known as the reserve. The amount of the reserve varies from year to year but is normally less between $25,000-$100,000.  During the fiscal year, if a municipal department encounters an “extraordinary and unforeseen expense,” it can appeal to the Advisory Committee for a transfer from the reserve. Departments under the Board of Selectmen must first secure their approval on the request form before approaching the Advisory Committee.