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Town meeting approves revised transparency resolution directing study and recommendations for a capital‑project portal
Summary
After debate and substitution of a narrower motion from the appropriation committee, town meeting approved the Parker substitute directing the select board and staff to define, solicit public input on, and report back about a transparency approach for major capital projects; a Kaufman amendment to force a pilot and appropriation failed.
Town meeting approved a revised, staff‑friendly approach to capital‑project transparency that asks the select board and staff to define reporting requirements, solicit public input and report back rather than immediately procuring a vendor or obligating funds.
Proponent Steve Kaufman introduced Article 27 to create an online transparency platform showing approved budgets, spending to date, remaining balances and schedule progress; the original motion authorized up to $50,000 to procure software or support configuration. In response to committee and staff concerns about scope and staff burden, Mr. Parker offered a substitute motion (adopted by town meeting) that narrows the request: it calls for a requirements‑gathering phase, public engagement, evaluation of vendor and in‑house options and a report back to town meeting (fall special town meeting timeline discussed), rather than an immediate appropriation.
The appropriation committee and capital expenditures committee supported Parker's substitute because it avoids overburdening staff and allows time for a structured plan; the select board also endorsed the substitute. Supporters of quicker delivery offered an amendment to require a pilot (two projects) and an appropriation of up to $50,000 for implementation, arguing that a pilot would produce tangible results this year, but that Kaufman amendment failed in a subsequent vote (63 yes, 105 no, 8 abstain).
After the substitute language became the main motion, town meeting voted to approve the Parker substitute. The final recorded vote on the main motion was 62 in the affirmative, 11 opposed, and 1 abstention. The approved substitute asks the select board and staff to return with specific recommendations and an implementation plan rather than purchasing a particular product immediately.
Town staff and project managers told members that core budget fields (budget, expenditures, encumbrances, available balance) are already available in town financial systems and can be made public in summarized form, but cautioned that publishing full unredacted invoices online raises privacy and security issues and would require staff time for review and redaction.
