Obiter dictum: Just a reminder!
Edward Kazanjian
I often cite the Selectmen or School Committee for our fiscal woes…but they cannot spend monies unless Town Meeting approves the budgets submitted. While it is up to the Warrant Committee to present the budget after their thorough review and public hearings, it is ultimately the 288 Town Meeting members that must approve the monies to be spent each year. These 288 individuals have the power to say “No” or to “reduce the budgets by XXX dollars” or to “set the total to be spent.” It is then up to the Selectmen and boards to work within those parameters.