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On January 1, 2008, the Brockton EmptyPrize printed a letter to the editor by Mark Coelho that criticized Rep. Calter's position on the Middleboro Casino.

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On Thursday, January 17, Rep. Calter addressed an SRO audience in the Middleboro Library.

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Rep. Calter was available to explain the issues and answer questions.

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Were you there Mr. Coelho?

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I didn't see the media there either.

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And the vocal casino supporters who were there failed to ask questions, yet they subsequently misrepresented what transpired on other blogs.

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The Middleboro BOS has somewhat arrogantly requested that Rep. Calter attend one of their meetings to explain his position. Mr. Coelho, I can only hope you will attend, along with many others to ask your questions and listen for an explanation.

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Hopefully, the Middleboro BOS will have the sense to convene this meeting at the Middleboro High School and an overflow crowd will ask their questions.

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Mr. Coelho asked: "What is your plan to save our schools?" "What is your plan to save our town services?"

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In fairness, Middleboro has a Town Meeting form of government. That means that voters have an opportunity to determine spending and make choices.

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On November 5, 2007, Middleboro held a Special Town Meeting that was a grab bag of hastily prepared information and warrant articles that spent most of the town's piggy bank from the land auctions.

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The Finance Committee received some of the information regarding those articles that very afternoon. Why was the information withheld from the FinCom and voters?

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One must wonder who is watching and who is asking questions when this transpires?

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How do you understand the issues if the information is deliberately withheld from you by the Middleboro BOS?

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Prop. 2 1/2 provided limitations to town spending of 2 1/2% PER YEAR PLUS NEW GROWTH.

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Simply put, you can't negotiate contracts that provide 36% pay raises, as Mr. Perkins has done and expect the numbers to work.

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Rather than blaming our state reps. or others as the Middleboro Selectmen continually do, isn't it about time to accept some responsibility and recognize that WE, the voters of Middleboro HAVE CHOICES.

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We can make a concerted effort to understand how town government works, where the information is, where the money is, and attend Town Meeting.

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Have a complaint or question? Stand up at Town Meeting!

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The Town has been told that we may need a new ladder truck at a cost of $900,000.

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The City of Boston is buying new ladder trucks that cost $630,000.

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Why the price difference? Are the ladders shorter? Fewer wheels?

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Few of the recommendations from the DOR Report have been adopted. Is anyone asking why?

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Quarterly real estate tax bills have been estimated to generate $50,000 PER MONTH by the Town Treasurer.

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Have the Middleboro Selectmen accomplished it? They discussed it in 2003.

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Much can be accomplished with participation. Are you ready?

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Instead of criticizing Rep. Calter for his opposition to the flawed Agreement that will bankrupt Middleboro, why aren't we asking where our other Reps. are?

Middleboro Town Web Site

Middleboro's Town Web Site, long the butt of jokes because of its pathetic state, seems to stand as a statement of the Town.

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The library has posted their links. As has the School Dept.

Absent a calendar that the IT Director indicated would be added to the site, the Town Planner posts AGENDAS.

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Lack of regularly scheduled agendas seems to indicate the Selectmen don't meet.

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Job openings: Wastewater Division and Conservation, but did you see the postings for Town Manager, Town Accountant, or Selectmen's Secretary? Or the land auctions?

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Has anyone noticed that Middleboro seems to have no Finance Committee? If you find it listed, could you please let me know?

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Do you think if the town had a computer savvy BOS this might change? What could voters do to change this? What has to be done to provide information to townspeople?

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Check out other towns: MMA

Middleboro Finance Committee and Nov. 26th BOS Meeting

So much transpired at the Nov. 26, 2007 Middleboro Selectmen's Meeting, that I awaited some impressive headlines to inform the public of the BOS business.

Failing that, let me proceed slowly.

Below, you will find, for your consideration, some information about the responsibilities of the FINANCE COMMITTEE and several randomly selected towns. (Should you choose, a google search of Massachusetts' Finance Committees produces much additional information.)

Middleborough Town Charter:

FINANCE COMMITTEE

SECTION FIVE: The committee shall consider and advise as to all matters relating to proposed appropriation and the matter of raising the amounts appropriated, and shall report in writing at each town meeting on all articles in the warrant relating to the appropriations or borrowing of money or the indebtedness of the town, with the exception of its action on the annual budget. The committee may make recommendations in writing at any time to the town, or to the Board of Selectmen, relating to the financial affairs of the town. It shall submit to the town at the Annual Town Meeting a report showing appropriations recommended for each fund or department, the estimated income from all sources, exclusive of taxes on property and poll taxes, the amount required to meet charges for interest and maturing indebtedness, and the estimated amount to be levied and raised by taxation to meet all expenses and liabilities of the town. Said report shall be filed with the Town Clerk on or before fifteen days prior to the fourth Monday of April, however, if not timely filed there will be no adverse affect to any action taken at town meeting. For the purpose of enabling the committee to perform its duties all Boards, Committees and Officers of town shall, on or before the twentieth day of January of each year, submit to the committee in writing, a detailed estimate of the appropriations required for the efficient and proper conduct of the departments under their charge during the ensuing fiscal year, and of all items of income to be received by such departments during said year and shall at any time, furnish any other information relative thereto in their possession which may be requested in writing by the committee. The Committee is hereby authorized to incur such expenses, as it may deem necessary, including the cost of the employment of experts and other assistants and the cost of printing its reports; provided, that such expenses shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars in any one year, unless a larger amount shall be appropriated for the purpose by the committee. Nothing herein shall be construed as limiting the power of the town to impose additional duties on the committee, in accordance with Section Sixteen of Chapter Thirty-nine of the General Laws.

PART I. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT TITLE VII. CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS

CHAPTER 39. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN MEETINGS Chapter 39: Section 16. Appropriation, advisory or finance committees; appointment; tenure; powers and duties Section 16. Every town whose valuation for the purpose of apportioning the state tax exceeds one million dollars shall, and any other town may, by by-law provide for the election or the appointment and duties of appropriation, advisory or finance committees, who shall consider any or all municipal questions for the purpose of making reports or recommendations to the town; and such by-laws may provide that committees so appointed or elected may continue in office for terms not exceeding three years from the date of appointment or election. In every town having a committee appointed under authority of this section, such committee, or the selectmen if authorized by a by-law of the town, and, in any town not having such a committee, the selectmen, shall submit a budget at the annual town meeting.

Association of Town Finance Committees

Arlington Finance Committee

Dalton Finance Committee

Halifax Finance Committee

.... It considers any and all municipal questions for the purpose of making reports or recommendations .....

Kingston Finance Committee

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Finance Committee considers and reports on all requests for appropriations made by the different departments of the town, considers all warrant articles to be presented at a town meeting and makes recommendations for action at the town meetings as they deem in the best interests of the town.

Franklin Finance Committee

6-2-3 The Finance Committee shall carry out its duties in accordance with the provisions of general law, this Charter and bylaw, and it shall have regular and free access and inspection rights to all books and accounts of any Town department or office. The Committee shall carefully examine all budget and appropriations proposals and shall issue its recommendations thereon prior to consideration, debate and vote by the Town Council.

Section 3 Submission of budget and budget message

6-3-1 Within the period provided by general law, the Town Administrator shall submit to the Town Council and file copies with the Finance Committee a proposed budget for the ensuing fiscal year with an accompanying budget message and support documents.

Section 4 Budget message

6-4-1 The budget message shall explain the budget for all Town agencies in 50th fiscal and programmatic terms. It shall: (a) outline proposed financial policies of the Town for the ensuing fiscal year; (b) describe important features of the budget; (c) indicate any major variations from the current year in financial policies, expenditures and revenues, together with the reasons of such variations; (d) summarize the Town's debt position; and (e) include such other materials as the Town Administrator may deem desirable or the Finance Committee may require.

Section 5 Budget Proposal

6-5-1 The proposed budget shall provide a complete financial plan for all Town funds and activities, including the proposed School Committee budget of the ensuing year. Except for the school budget or may be required by general law, it shall be in such form as the Town Administrator deems desirable or the Finance Committee may require.

6-5-2 In submitting the proposed budget, the Town Administrator shall utilize modern fiscal principals so as to afford maximum information and financial control. The budget shall detail all estimated revenue from the property tax levy and other sources and all proposed expenditures, including debt service to: the previous, current and ensuing years, and shall indicate separately: (a) proposed expenditures for 50th current operations and capital projects during the ensuring year, detailed by agency, purpose and position, together with proposed financing methods; and (b) estimated surplus revenue and free cash available at the close of the fiscal year, including estimated balances in special accounts. Section 6 Action on the proposed budget

6-6-1 The Town Council shall conduct at least two (2) public hearings on the proposed budget, and it shall publish, in one (1) or more newspapers of general circulation in the Town, a general summary of the budget and a notice stating: (a) the times and places where copies of the budget shall be available for inspection, and (b) the dates, times and places, not less than fourteen (14) days after such publication, when the public hearings on the budget proposal shall be conducted. The Finance Committee shall issue printed recommendations and make copies available at the time of the public hearings. 6-6-2 The Town Council shall adopt the budget, with or without amendments, prior to the close of the current fiscal year. Adoption of the budget shall constitute appropriation of the amounts specified therein. CHARTER

Since the Middleboro BOS are fond of repeating the fiscal condition of ALL other cities and towns, I found this figure significant:

Stabilization Fund $4,793,011.78

Rockport Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is the Town's official fiscal watchdog. The committee has oversight responsibility for all financial matters, including revenue and trust funds as well as expenditures.

Secretary of State: Citizen's Guide:

What does the finance committee do?

The finance committee prepares the budget in the months before the annual Town Meeting starts. It also prepares financial articles (which are agenda items). Its recommendations are advisory. In some towns, the committee is known as the warrant committee or the advisory committee. Depending on a town’s by-laws, members of the finance committee are appointed by the selectmen or moderator, or elected by voters or the Town Meeting. In many towns, the finance committee'sreport is distributed to all residences.

MMA offers a list of ALL

City and Town Web Sites

What the headlines should have said ..... (Part 2)

At the request of the BOS, the 'interim' Town Manager prepared a 'policy' and timeline regarding the budget process.

It is important to understand that the BOS appoints the Town Manager and in this case, the BOS utilizes the position to reduce their workload and absolve themselves of responsibility. In essence, the Town Manager acts as the Board's lackey and does their bidding, at a cost of $500 per day.

Since this 'interim' Town Manager is part-time and retired from another Town, it is unreasonable to expect much future planning or long-term commitment. Besides, this Board lacks the insight and fails to see the need for much beyond their narrow scope.

It would seem with all the EXPERIENCE proclaimed on the BOS, they would have arrived at their own timeline and policy, but ......

When the 'interim' Town Manager presented his policy draft of BUDGET DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE, noteworthy were the Chairwoman's apologies that 'I know I promised to get you out of here by 8:30,' and Selectman Bond's silence as the Town Charter was conspicuously violated.

Apparently, Charter violations are of no concern to Mr. Bond when they don't pertain to a position he is seeking.

And Selectman Spataro was too preoccupied smiling and giggling, clearly unprepared for the meeting. Isn't this the Selectman who said the Board was the MAJOR LEAGUES? Is anyone watching his behavior?

The contents of the POLICY were never fully enumerated during the meeting, but it was clear that the intent was to exclude the Finance Committee from the process. (The policy was undoubtedly included in the press packages, but the media also felt no need to comment.)

Since it appears that no one has yet shown the new Secretary to the Board of Selectmen how to post Meeting Agendas or Meeting Minutes, we will never see this POLICY unless we submit a Public Records Request. Is that how Town Government should work?

The 'interim' Town Manager said at one point that the statement had been distributed to all Department Heads and subsequently indicated that it had not been, pending Board approval.

Selectman Wayne Perkins emphatically endorsed adoption of the policy and included his statement that 50% of the recommendations contained in the DOR (Department of Revenue) Report had been adopted. (I will address the DOR Report in a subsequent entry, but much work needs to be done.)

Mr. Dunphy rose to ask a question and remained at the podium for quite some time.

When the Chairwoman finally acknowledged his presence, she made sure that she informed him that 'THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC HEARING.'

So, here again we repeat the limitations of the public's right to ask questions.

Mr. Dunphy questioned the Finance Committee's responsibilities governed by the Town Charter.

Chairwoman Brunelle dismissed the question by saying that there were NO PENALTIES INVOLVED.

In other words, violate the Town Charter and the expectations of voters that the Finance Committee Members that we voted for would do their job, and it is of no consequence to the BOS?

I voted for the Finance Committee Members because the ELECTED POSITION is of importance. I want those ELECTED OFFICIALS to be able to work conscientiously to fulfill their responsibilities for the benefit of the Town.

Are my rights not being taken away when the Board of Selectmen deliberately withhold information and prevent the FinCom from doing their jobs?

Didn't you elect the Finance Committee?

Are you wondering why your taxes are so high and services are being cut?

Do you dislike the way the Town is being run?

Is it time for you to inform yourself and maybe get involved?

Middleboro Finance Committee and Nov. 26th BOS Meeting

So much transpired at the Nov. 26, 2007 Middleboro Selectmen's Meeting, that I awaited some impressive headlines to inform the public of the BOS business.

Failing that, let me proceed slowly.

Below, you will find, for your consideration, some information about the responsibilities of the FINANCE COMMITTEE and several randomly selected towns. (Should you choose, a google search of Massachusetts' Finance Committees produces much additional information.)

Middleborough Town Charter:

FINANCE COMMITTEE

SECTION FIVE: The committee shall consider and advise as to all matters relating to proposed appropriation and the matter of raising the amounts appropriated, and shall report in writing at each town meeting on all articles in the warrant relating to the appropriations or borrowing of money or the indebtedness of the town, with the exception of its action on the annual budget.
The committee may make recommendations in writing at any time to the town, or to the Board of Selectmen, relating to the financial affairs of the town. It shall submit to the town at the Annual Town Meeting a report showing appropriations recommended for each fund or department, the estimated income from all sources, exclusive of taxes on property and poll taxes, the amount required to meet charges for interest and maturing indebtedness, and the estimated amount to be levied and raised by taxation to meet all expenses and liabilities of the town. Said report shall be filed with the Town Clerk on or before fifteen days prior to the fourth Monday of April, however, if not timely filed there will be no adverse affect to any action taken at town meeting.
For the purpose of enabling the committee to perform its duties all Boards, Committees and Officers of town shall, on or before the twentieth day of January of each year, submit to the committee in writing, a detailed estimate of the appropriations required for the efficient and proper conduct of the departments under their charge during the ensuing fiscal year, and of all items of income to be received by such departments during said year and shall at any time, furnish any other information relative thereto in their possession which may be requested in writing by the committee.
The Committee is hereby authorized to incur such expenses, as it may deem necessary, including the cost of the employment of experts and other assistants and the cost of printing its reports; provided, that such expenses shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars in any one year, unless a larger amount shall be appropriated for the purpose by the committee.
Nothing herein shall be construed as limiting the power of the town to impose additional duties on the committee, in accordance with Section Sixteen of Chapter Thirty-nine of the General Laws.

PART I. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE VII. CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS
CHAPTER 39. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
TOWN MEETINGS
Chapter 39: Section 16. Appropriation, advisory or finance committees; appointment; tenure; powers and duties
Section 16. Every town whose valuation for the purpose of apportioning the state tax exceeds one million dollars shall, and any other town may, by by-law provide for the election or the appointment and duties of appropriation, advisory or finance committees, who shall consider any or all municipal questions for the purpose of making reports or recommendations to the town; and such by-laws may provide that committees so appointed or elected may continue in office for terms not exceeding three years from the date of appointment or election.
In every town having a committee appointed under authority of this section, such committee, or the selectmen if authorized by a by-law of the town, and, in any town not having such a committee, the selectmen, shall submit a budget at the annual town meeting.

Association of Town Finance Committees

Arlington Finance Committee

Dalton Finance Committee

Halifax Finance Committee


.... It considers any and all municipal questions for the purpose of making reports or recommendations .....





Kingston Finance Committee


Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Committee considers and reports on all requests for appropriations made by the different departments of the town, considers all warrant articles to be presented at a town meeting and makes recommendations for action at the town meetings as they deem in the best interests of the town.

Franklin Finance Committee
6-2-3 The Finance Committee shall carry out its duties in accordance with the provisions of general law, this Charter and bylaw, and it shall have regular and free access and inspection rights to all books and accounts of any Town department or office. The Committee shall carefully examine all budget and appropriations proposals and shall issue its recommendations thereon prior to consideration, debate and vote by the Town Council. Section 3 Submission of budget and budget message
6-3-1 Within the period provided by general law, the Town Administrator shall submit to the Town Council and file copies with the Finance Committee a proposed budget for the ensuing fiscal year with an accompanying budget message and support documents.
Section 4 Budget message
6-4-1 The budget message shall explain the budget for all Town agencies in 50th fiscal and programmatic terms. It shall: (a) outline proposed financial policies of the Town for the ensuing fiscal year; (b) describe important features of the budget; (c) indicate any major variations from the current year in financial policies, expenditures and revenues, together with the reasons of such variations; (d) summarize the Town's debt position; and (e) include such other materials as the Town Administrator may deem desirable or the Finance Committee may require.
Section 5 Budget Proposal
6-5-1 The proposed budget shall provide a complete financial plan for all Town funds and activities, including the proposed School Committee budget of the ensuing year. Except for the school budget or may be required by general law, it shall be in such form as the Town Administrator deems desirable or the Finance Committee may require.
6-5-2 In submitting the proposed budget, the Town Administrator shall utilize modern fiscal principals so as to afford maximum information and financial control. The budget shall detail all estimated revenue from the property tax levy and other sources and all proposed expenditures, including debt service to: the previous, current and ensuing years, and shall indicate separately: (a) proposed expenditures for 50th current operations and capital projects during the ensuring year, detailed by agency, purpose and position, together with proposed financing methods; and (b) estimated surplus revenue and free cash available at the close of the fiscal year, including estimated balances in special accounts. Section 6 Action on the proposed budget
6-6-1 The Town Council shall conduct at least two (2) public hearings on the proposed budget, and it shall publish, in one (1) or more newspapers of general circulation in the Town, a general summary of the budget and a notice stating: (a) the times and places where copies of the budget shall be available for inspection, and (b) the dates, times and places, not less than fourteen (14) days after such publication, when the public hearings on the budget proposal shall be conducted. The Finance Committee shall issue printed recommendations and make copies available at the time of the public hearings.
6-6-2 The Town Council shall adopt the budget, with or without amendments, prior to the close of the current fiscal year. Adoption of the budget shall constitute appropriation of the amounts specified therein. CHARTER


Since the Middleboro BOS are fond of repeating the fiscal condition of ALL other cities and towns, I found this figure significant:

Stabilization Fund $4,793,011.78

Rockport Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is the Town's official fiscal watchdog. The committee has oversight responsibility for all financial matters, including revenue and trust funds as well as expenditures.


Secretary of State: Citizen's Guide:
What does the finance committee do?
The finance committee prepares the budget in the months before the annual Town Meeting starts. It also prepares financial articles (which are agenda items). Its recommendations are advisory. In some towns, the committee is known as the warrant committee or the advisory committee.
Depending on a town’s by-laws, members of the finance committee are appointed by the selectmen or moderator, or elected by voters or the Town Meeting. In many towns, the finance committee'sreport is distributed to all residences.


MMA offers a list of ALL
City and Town Web Sites