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Wayne board debates committee appointment rules, financial policy edits and hydrology grant work
Summary
Select Board members reviewed and revised draft language for the board commissions and committees appointment policy, directed staff to consult auditors on financial and fixed‑asset policy language (GASB 34 referenced), and discussed a community action hydrology vulnerability assessment grant and local health ordinance drafting.
Select Board members spent substantial time reviewing two policy drafts and several items carried on the board 'loose ends' list, directing staff and committees to follow up.
On the committee appointment policy (packet pages 103–114) the chair said the last paragraph (section 5) is incomplete and offered to draft finishing language to bring back for action. Board members debated whether committee chairs should be asked to recommend appointments, whether vacancy announcements and a short synopsis of committee duties should be posted on the town website, and whether ceremonial/advisory committees should use the same application process as governing boards. The board generally favored public notice of vacancies and recommended that chairs submit recommendations in May for appointments effective July 1.
In the financial policy review, members discussed identifying a recommended uncommitted fund balance, consistent terminology for reserve funds, and clarifying cash‑handling procedures when the town manager covers the front office (town manager said the town currently uses three cash drawers). Multiple members urged staff to consult the town auditors for guidance before any final vote; auditors and GASB guidance (the transcript referenced 'government accounting standard board statement number 34') were explicitly discussed as necessary inputs for the capital assets/fixed asset section.
Board members also discussed grant management, noting the town was expecting community action money for a hydrology vulnerability assessment; staff said that grant 'places no burdens' on the town (no local match) but town staff must administer invoice payments and compliance. The town has requested example local health ordinances from MMA to support remediation authority after a property fire raised health concerns.
Other items discussed included advertising for a building committee, a potential affordable housing committee to research what the town can lawfully do and whether private fundraising will be required, and IT/computer system controls (staff to add to the board 'to do' list). The board did not adopt these policies at the meeting and instead requested redlines, auditor input and clean drafts for a future meeting.
