Reported remotely by Meredith McCulloch
If approved, Article 8 on the Annual Town Meeting warrant would enhance financial oversight of funds by the Cable Television Committee. The article was submitted by initiative petition, which provides that an article must go on the warrant if ten citizens sign a petition requesting it. The proposed by-law change adds the language “Monitor the Town’s cable television funds and advise the Selectmen and the Town Manager on expenditure from those accounts.”
According to Cable TV Committee members William Deen and Jim Shea, who had spoken in favor of the change at a public heading on February 3, the petitioners sought the change to provide closer oversight and management of the funds. They cited discrepancies between the records in the town’s official financial reports and those of the committee.
Town Manager Richard Reed spoke to correct any impression that there were discrepancies between the accounting records of the committee and the Town. He explained that differences were the result of the committee’s spreadsheet and the official records handling encumbered funds and equipment on-order in different ways.
The Selectmen had sought an opinion from Town Counsel Robert Mangiaratti. He said there was nothing in the law that would prohibit the change, noting that the Cable Television Committee does not appear in the Massachusetts General Laws, but only in the regulations. He cautioned that the change….”would significantly expand the authority of the Cable Committee. The current bylaw does not give the committee any role in the supervision of the cable television funds. ……One could construe the amendment as requiring the Selectmen to receive a recommendation from the Cable Committee prior to making any decision to spend Cable Television Funds.” In conclusion Mangiratti wrote, “Granting sustentative financial authority to the Cable Committee would not be a clear violation of the statute but it would be a change in the statutory scheme.”
Each of the Selectmen expressed appreciation of the Cable Television Committee’s diligence. Selectman Bill Moonan noted that there is nothing to prevent the Cable Television Committee from monitoring the financial records more closely, and that the Finance Department would support that effort. On the other hand, he didn’t see that a by-law change was necessary.
The Selectmen voted 4-1 to disapprove, with Selectmen Rosenberg voting in the minority.
[Note: Thanks to the Selectmen’s Office for supplying documents and to Cable TV for recording this meeting, enabling this reporter to cover the meeting remotely.]
Loading ...
