Town Expenses & STM

The Warrant for the Nov. 5th STM appears to contain numerous items that require clarification.

Article 6 contains an amount of $42,464.42 for the July 28, 2007 STM, yet the final accounting offered on 7/30/07 was $74,450. Didn't the Finance Committee authorize partial funding of $40,000? What other amounts were expended? Surely this is information that will be provided by the Finance Committee at the public hearing.

The following are the meeting minutes at which TOWN COUNSEL was asked his legal opinion regarding STM funding:
SELECTMEN’S MEETINGJULY 16, 2007

Selectman Bond asked Attorney Murray what methodology the Board has for authorizing the expenditure of funds to the Committee.

Attorney Murray said, absent an appropriation, it can’t.

Chairwoman Brunelle said she had a discussion today with the DOR regarding how to do this. She said there is a method to deficit spend for emergency purposes if the DOR approves. She said there is also $50,000 in the Reserve Fund that could be spent with a commitment to replace it at the Fall Town Meeting.

Mr. Brunelle said some costs do not have to be paid up front and can wait for Town Meeting.

http://www.middleborough.com/Selectmen/Minutes/July%20Minutes/July%202007/July%2016,%202007.mht

The following is the wording that pertains to STM expenses (posted on CranberryTimes in their entirety):
Article 6
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer from taxation, free cash, another specific available fund, the Stabilization Fund, an existing appropriation or account or other available source to pay $ 42,464.42 for the following cost related to the July 28, 2007 Special Town Meeting, or act anything thereon.
Middleborough Public School $2,551.00 Custodial & Clerical Services
Laidlaw Educational Services $15,680.00 Busing Services
Roger Brunelle (reimbursement) $715.99 misc. Supplies
Information Technology Budget $5,476.39 mailing etc
Council on Aging Budget $872.04 Van Personnel and related cost
Police Department Budget $8,999.00 Security Services
Selectmen Budget $8,170.00 Printing

http://cranberrytimes.com/


The following is an excerpt from the Selectmen's Meeting minutes in which the total expenditures for the STM were discussed:

SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JULY 30, 2007

HEARINGS, MEETINGS & LICENSES

Meeting with Roger Brunelle – RE: Update on Special Town Meeting

Roger Brunelle was present. He gave the Board a handout with the final costs for Town Meeting. The original costs were estimated at $123,900. The final cost was $74,450.

http://www.middleborough.com/Selectmen/Minutes/July%20Minutes/July%202007/July%2030,%202007.mht