Saturday, June 16, 2018

Email conveying a message to the Selectmen.

Carter;
As promised, I am emailing the results of the financial transfer request from you, via the board of selectmen in the amount of $15,000.00 from Insurance and Benefits to highway department funds of supplies and purchase of service.
The transfer was approved in the amount of $13,000.00, per transfer policy. Reason (s) for the difference in what was requested ($15,000.00) and what was approved ($13,000.00) was a lack of clarity with regards of accounting of additional $2,000.00. Advisory could not find nor verify any fund named or listed as "miscellaneous" and this lack of specificity along with there still being funds available (from information provided) in the supplies and purchase of service accounts under highway department.
The completed paperwork will be dropped off to Town Hall first thing on Monday, June 18, 2018 as soon as the office is open. Be aware that Advisory has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, June 20, 2018 and intends to schedule meetings on Thursday, July 5, 2018 and Thursday, July 12, 2018 in case there is a need for additional transfer requests. In the future, Advisory suggests that a representative of the select board and or the department attend the Advisory Committee meeting in order to answer any questions or to clarify any issues. This would help in making the process efficient and more timely. Perhaps at a future date, select board and Advisory can meet jointly and discuss the process, perhaps discovering that our goals are more alike than different.


regards;
Jeff Bennett
Chairman, Advisory Committee

The above email was sent to the Town Administrator and also to all five selectmen, lets see if this makes it to Selectmen Fortes" face book page?

Five new members and so far, similar observations as with previous members. Same concerns and questions about the same subjects; so who should perhaps be looking in the mirror?

A financial transfer came before the Advisory Committee for $15,000.00, from Insurance and Benefits to highway department supplies and Purchase of Services. Accounting for what the funds were needed was 1 item: miscellaneous - $2,000.00. The committee could not find any fund listed as miscellaneous to put money in so the committee approved $13,000.00 instead.

It does not appear that "slush fund" building will be looked at favorably by this new Advisory Committee. The selectmen tried to get 4 members to resign previously, presumably to get new people on the committee: be careful what you wish for!

2 comments:

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  2. I watched this meeting. I am very pleased with the questions, concerns and response from the newly appointed members. Michael Currie, Amy Guthrie, Lee Guthrie and Tony DeJoy each made considered comments on action to be taken.

    I think it would be wise for Carter to realize that He cannot randomly add 15% slush to every bill, transfer, or budget without answering for it because it appears we WILL have people watching.I look at these request and a theme might be in place.......either we are trying to " lock in" a 5% free cash by adding it to everything or Carter is telling us he needs a 15% float to properly manage the town. Time will tell.

    I personally think it was wise to reappoint Jeff. I can really appreciate watching an active participatory discussion.

    Anyway, it appears we have an Advisory Committee that will push our Board of Selectman and Administration to be better for taxpayers!


    Thank You

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