Select Board adopts purchase-order policy changes to require upfront POs, define backup approvers

Finance staff presented two primary updates to the town’s purchasing policy: create a formally appointed “second‑in‑command” at each department who may approve purchase orders and invoices in the department head’s absence (with the finance manager as the fallback) and require that purchase orders be created and approved in the purchasing system prior to committing to goods or services. The presenter explained that the change will prevent invoices from being recorded before a PO is in place and will provide clearer reporting on encumbrances and budget status.