Finance Committee

Overview

The Finance Committee is the official fiscal watchdog for the Town. Because it is difficult for all taxpayers to be completely informed about every aspect of a town’s finances, finance committees were established so a representative group of taxpayers could conduct a thorough review of municipal finance questions on behalf of all citizens. The Finance Committee advises the Board of Selectmen and Town voters on financial matters, including the budget and departmental spending, and on all warrant articles involving the expenditure of taxpayer money including borrowing. The committee’s statutory authority is limited to making transfers from the Town’s Reserve Fund (a contingency fund created as part of the annual budget appropriations) to other line items in the budget for extraordinary or unforeseen occurrences. Finance Committee meetings are at the call of the Chairman.