Advisory Finance Committee finalizes liaison assignments, consolidates DPW contacts

The Advisory Finance Committee discussed and largely finalized its operational liaison list for departmental monitoring and reporting, agreeing to consolidate several Public Works‑related lines under a single primary contact.

Committee members said liaisons should introduce themselves to assigned departments, attend public meetings when relevant, and relay notable budget or operational updates back to AFC. The presenter explained the liaison role is intended to be light touch for many departments but higher‑contact for large areas such as schools.

Members debated whether sewer, water, and snow & ice should appear as separate liaison lines or be combined under Public Works. To reduce duplication, the committee agreed to keep sewer, water and DPW liaison responsibilities assigned to Jane, with Chris as a backup for high‑volume items. Members said backups are important for "high‑touch" liaisons like the school committee, which warrants more than one member monitoring its work.

Liaisons reported routine updates: library construction continues with weekly OPM and contractor reports; the school building committee and a wastewater treatment rotor issue were noted as matters to watch. Members asked about minority/women business participation and sub‑contract tracking on larger projects and agreed those are items to follow through the liaison network.

The committee asked staff to circulate the updated liaison spreadsheet and emphasized the list remains operational (not a formal, voted policy) and can be revisited if workload or departmental activity changes.

The meeting moved on after the liaison discussion to approve minutes and adjourn.