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Select Board gives town administrator authority to sign contracts up to $50,000
Summary
After debate about procurement thresholds and oversight, the Select Board voted to permit the Town Administrator to sign contracts valued up to $50,000, with expectations of providing copies to board members and routine accountant review; several board members expressed concern and recorded dissenting votes.
The Select Board debated whether to delegate contract-signing authority to the Town Administrator and settled on a $50,000 threshold.
Town Administrator James explained procurement thresholds under Massachusetts law and recommended a delegation to streamline routine purchases. Board members discussed options ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 and emphasized safeguards: obtaining multiple quotes for $10k–$50k procurements, accountant review of contracts, and circulating signed contracts to board members for transparency. One board member said the delegation would allow the town to avoid two‑week delays on smaller, time‑sensitive contracts.
The board voted to allow the Town Administrator to sign contracts up to $50,000. The transcript records a mix of votes and at least two dissenting 'No' votes from board members (recorded in the meeting). The decision included an expectation that the administrator will notify the chair and provide copies of signed contracts to the board and accountant for oversight.
