Is Anyone Listening?

During the delay to Town Meeting now scheduled for June 22, 2020, it might be a great time to look closely at the Finance Committee.

In past years under the guidance of former Moderator Dave Parker and Chairwoman Beverly Hart the Committee worked in concert with Town Administration, the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee and Administration and all Town Departments.

The Committee worked hard to understand, study, question, discuss, deliberate, vote and make sound recommendations at the Annual Town Meeting for Voters to consider before making taking final votes on the Town’s finances for the coming fiscal year. They did the same in the case of the Fall Town Meeting, the same steps taken regarding Capital Expenditures and they met with Capital Improvement Representation as well.

Mrs. Hart asked with interest which Member would like to “cover” which Department during the Budget Cycle. The Membership worked with Department Heads to understand, not to decide or direct their choices for Budget Submissions. Mrs. Hart covered Town Hall and Town Administration. All information collected by the Committee Membership was shared during scheduled open meetings and should further questions surface, Mrs. Hart offered direction and until a matter was concluded it remained an agenda item until it was done thoroughly.

The Finance Committee was included in virtually all matters financial. There was no waiting for an invitation, they were always included. They carried with them respect and a valuable opinion resource for every Town Meeting audience.

According to MGL Chapter 39, Sec 16 the Finance Committee shall submit a budget at the annual Town Meeting. We are presented with numbers prepared by the Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen, and the Finance Committee. This is not to imply each create their own. The Town Administrator is responsible for the creation, the Board of Selectmen is responsible for approval and presentation and the Finance Committee conducts the research and “explains” their recommendation on Town Meeting floor,

While all is neat and tidy at the presentation and all three columns are in sync, what would happen if the Finance Committee disagreed?

The Seekonk Home Rule Charter reads the Finance Committee shall be provided with regular and free access and inspection rights to all books, accounts and the financial management of any town department or office. The Committee shall issue its recommendations prior to the consideration, debate, and vote by the Town Meeting.

Within Section 4- Budget Proposal reads, “Except for the School Budget or as may be required by Mass General Law, it shall be in the form which the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee may require”. When were they ever included in the formation discussions? We might just have to ask Mrs. Hart because for the past (6) years they have not.

Submission of the Budget and Message is to be accompanied by supporting documentation to the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee. In the past (6) years when has this happened? Also, any material the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee may require is to be provided. It’s been tried (2017) and it didn’t work.

Also, according to the Home Rule Charter, the Finance Committee shall issue in print its recommendations on the aggregate budget proposal and make copies available to the voters at least fourteen days prior to the Annual Town Meeting. Some will argue that Meeting Minutes are recorded for each Finance Committee Meeting. Clearly, not distributed or explained to the voting public. Some will argue that it is posted on the Town Web Site. Clearly, not every resident has access. Then some will say it is printed in the Warrant. Explanations are not.

Part of serving the community is communication and information. Between the Town Administrator, the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, and the Finance Committee it should be relatively easy when everything is pulled together for one Town Meeting.

Technology is a wonderful tool, but it does not replace reading a document handed to you at the entrance of Town Meeting with enough information collected to enable you to vote with a clear thought.

The leaders of this town have not consistently informed the public according to the Seekonk Home Rule Charter and the definition of their roles. Dismissing the Finance Committee as “just advisory” closes a door on vital research the public needs to know with confidence and be assured it is done properly and thoroughly.

Limiting their participation at Town Meeting with simply we recommend, or we do not recommend is not good enough. What is the reason? Excluding them from all meetings whereby discussions and votes are taken on financial matters is wrong and the public’s checks and balances go up in smoke.

Ignoring past practice and dismissing the traditional roles of everyone involved in our budget process is a complete disregard for our Home Rule Charter and the people of the Town of Seekonk. There is no confidence that all groups are running as a team for our best interest first. Presenting a budget whether it takes one night or two is serious business and it affects our every day lives.

Overhead projections, and speeches are the only consistent and without documentation the only excuse that can be used for failure is, “Town Meeting voted on it.” As for accountability? There is none.

Advocate for the Finance Committee and understand their position as to WHY they recommend everything on Town Meeting floor or not. When their job is complete our decisions should be much easier and not a simple “we approve” in the interest of time.

Please support the Finance Committee

Doreen Taylor
Seekonk, MA