Redraft 137

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-137-R1

Redraft GOV 137

Promoting Local Cost Savings and Transparency

Mr. Downing moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting after section 44 the following 2 sections:-

“SECTION 44A. Chapter 40 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 49, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 49. Before the annual town meeting the selectmen shall, at the expense of the town, make available the annual town report for the use of the inhabitants containing: (i) the report of the selectmen for the calendar or fiscal year preceding the meeting; (ii) the report of the school committee; (iii) statements in tabulated form prepared under section 60 of chapter 41 unless otherwise made available as provided in said section 60 of said chapter 41; (iv) the annual report of the town accountant for the preceding fiscal year as provided in section 61 of said chapter 41; (v) the annual report of the town treasurer as provided in section 35 of said chapter 41; (vi) except as otherwise provided by vote or by-law of the town, of such other officers and boards as consider it expedient to make a report, the jury list as required by chapter 234; and (vii) other matters as the law or the town by vote or by-law requires or as the selectmen consider expedient. If the selectmen neglect or refuse to make the annual report available, the selectmen shall severally forfeit $50.

A town may by by-law provide fiscal year reports as it considers suitable within 90 days of the close of the fiscal year. A copy of the fiscal year reports shall be transmitted by the town clerk to the state library before November 1. A town may also by by-law provide all reports of town officers and boards, committees and commissions on a fiscal year basis in place of the calendar year report required by this section.

SECTION 44B. Chapter 44 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 44 the following section:-

Section 44A. (a) Each city and town shall annually provide an official electronic copy of its current annual operating budget to the division of local services in the department of revenue.

(b) The division shall post the current annual operating budget for each city and town on its website.