Town Council Meets With Its New Budget Advisory Committee

When the Town Council met Tuesday night with the three members of its new Budget Advisory Committee, one of the first questions asked was just what does the Council want from its new panel.

“Where does the Council see our involvement?” said Henry Kates, one of the three budget committee members. “How early in the process, how deep in the process does the Council want us to be meeting with Bill and his department heads?”

Kates was referring to Town Manager Bill Sequino. Kates, and fellow budget panel member Tom Stocker are veterans of the School Committee’s similar Finance Committee. Kates just finished serving on that panel; Stocker will serve on both.

For the past three years, the schools Finance Committee has met with school principals and department heads and reviewed their budgets in advance of the School Committee’s full budget discussions.

Sequino took pains to point out that the town operated differently than the schools, noting that he delivers a balanced budget to the Town Council after working with department heads on their numbers.

“We met [with school officials and] asked questions, maybe helped them to see things a bit differently,” said Kates.

“I think part of the reason for creating the committee was do to that,” said Town Councilor Jeff Cianciolo. “I think it would make sense to pursue that process.”

“I was very impressed with the work the finance committee did,” said Councilman Mark Gee, who said he’d attended several school budget sessions. “And it was rewarding for the department heads too.”

“I think if you’re going to make recommendations on the budget you have to understand it,” said Council President Michael Isaacs, supporting the idea that the panel should meet with department heads.

“Henry needs to meet with Bill to discuss what’s the best way to proceed. What’s the most time-efficient way for the committee to meet with the department heads,” Isaacs said. “They obviously have to talk to them if they are going to understand the departments.”

The Town Council will meet with the School Committee on Monday, Nov. 14, and the town’s budget committee is expected to be there too. The third member of the town's Budget Advisory Committee is Judy Assad.