Found something recently, it is a legal opinion concerning the Advisory Committee's question about the selectmen authority to present the annual budget to Town meeting. Advisory sent question to Town Administrator who forwarded to Town Council. That opinion was shared with the Advisory Committee. Town Council opines that Templeton has a "strong" advisory committee because they are responsible for not only financial articles, but all Town meeting articles. The opinion goes on to explain that Templeton has some conflicting and unclear Town by-laws concerning this issue. The opinion goes on to state "we recommend that there be a clearer statement by the voters at town meeting to resolve this issue. Absent an article on the warrant for the upcoming special town meeting to clarify whose motion is made first, we suggest that the town administrator and advisory committee reach an understanding based on what is clearest for the voters to follow. Failing any agreement, at a town meeting, have the moderator ask the people to adopt rules of the meeting, which could include a rule as to which/who makes the initial motion to be brought before town meeting. If advisory committee objects to town administrator or vice-versa, let voters decide what is the procedure. Perhaps this should be the number one item at a joint meeting of advisory committee and selectmen.


posted by Jeff Bennett