FinCom to move warrant motion on Article 13; Select Board likely to propose amendment adding funding sources

Officials said the Finance Committee (FinCom) will make the motion printed in the warrant for Article 13, and the Select Board is likely to offer an amendment that adds funding sources and revises the appropriation amount.

A speaker who discussed FinCom deliberations said the committee "is not going to put forward the motion as put as listed on the technical amendment sheet" and that the printed warrant motion would be the Finance Committee’s default while the Select Board prepares an amendment. The speaker described the Select Board amendment as "essentially what is shown on the technical amendment sheet: basically, add some funding sources and revise the appropriation number."

Why it matters: If the Select Board proposes an amendment, voters will see the Finance Committee motion followed by the Select Board amendment on the floor, which requires the moderator and meeting staff to have the amendment text available for projection and reference.

Logistics and next steps: Participants asked that the Select Board provide the amendment text in advance so the motion can be projected; the speaker said they will consult with the Finance Committee chair, the Select Board chair, and town counsel after the pre-meeting and circulate the language. Malcolm asked whether the Select Board must discuss the amendment at a posted meeting; organizers confirmed there is a routine Select Board meeting at 8 a.m. Saturday where the amendment will be taken up.

Ending: No final appropriations or funding-source decisions were made at the pre-meeting; the Finance Committee and Select Board will present motions and any amendment at town meeting and at the posted Select Board session Saturday morning.