York Town News
Budget Committee discusses town buildings, financial review process
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - The Budget Committee will be seeking a more active role in the process by which the use of the town's Coventry Hall property is decided.That was the committee's consensus at its Thursday, Sept. 21, meeting at the York Public Library.
Chairman Windol Weaver brought the issue up when discussing the Board of Selectmen's creation of a building committee to oversee upcoming municipal building needs. Currently, the selectmen are seeking members to serve on a committee to help determine the best project for the York Village parcel approved by voters in May.
Weaver pointed out that Budget Committee members have traditionally serves as representatives on each School Building Committee, including for the recent York High School Arts Wing project and the York Middle School renovation and expansion several years ago.
Having committee members Rudy Freitag and Nancy Eaton on hand to provide updates throughout the arts wing discussions was valuable in that process, he said.
Rather than get into a discussion of whether the charter mandates a Budget Committee member on town building committees as it does for school projects, the board agreed to ask the selectmen to consider including Budget Committee representation.
"Why we wouldn't be invited to do it as a matter of practicality, I don't understand," said Budget Committee member Mike Quinn.
David Lincoln agreed.
"It makes all sorts of sense to me that some member, or two members … of the Budget Committee should sit in … so that when the recommendations come forward, and by definition they'll have financial impacts, our members are up to speed," Lincoln said.
The board voted unanimously on a motion to ask the selectmen to include two Budget Committee members on the new committee.
Lincoln also suggested more active oversight of town and school accounts and spending throughout the year.
"I would like the financial activities of … each town department to be more visible to the general public," he said.
Weaver noted the town and School Department staff will provide the documentation and information as requested.
"These people are really good at it," he said, adding, "Believe me, they give us what they ask for."
Also at the meeting, the Budget Committee listened to an overview on the York Parks and Recreation Department from Mike Sullivan and discussed attendance at the joint meeting of the School Committee, Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee this Thursday, Sept. 28. Several Budget Committee members said they will be present for the discussion of the York High School Arts Wing.
The next regular Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for Oct. 19.
