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Selectboard debates budget items, notes finance software expense and audit questionnaire
Summary
Board discussed recent budget changes that may require reopening budget hearings at Town Meeting, including a $37,000 finance software expense and legal costs related to Melendy Pond suits; members also completed Plodzik audit disclosures reporting no knowledge of fraud.
During its Feb. 2 meeting the Brookline Selectboard reviewed budget lines and flagged changes that may require acknowledgment or amendment at Town Meeting.
Eddie Arnold noted that, although the overall budget was previously voted, a $37,000 finance software expense was reinserted under finance administration and that best practice would be to acknowledge such changes and, if necessary, reopen budget hearings. He said reopening hearings would be required to make budget changes. Arnold also said he did not believe an increase to the legal budget was necessary because $7,000 for Melendy Pond litigation is expected to be covered by the Melendy Pond Municipal Committee (MPMC) unless a court rules otherwise; the board indicated further discussion in non‑public session.
Separately, the board addressed the Plodzik audit questionnaire: Selectboard members were asked to complete individual disclosure sections and all reported no knowledge of fraud or related concerns. Item #5 on cybersecurity will be completed by staff (Coffey or Eagle).
The board directed reminders to department heads about lines that cannot be reallocated if unspent (salaries, fuel, special appropriations, and GGB repairs) and recommended scheduling next year’s budget hearings one week later.
