A way to have more transparency in our budget may be to have a system like The Commonwealth's Open Checkbook Program.

   Good evening, I got back from a candidates night at he Hebrew Life Center at New Bridge on the Charles a few hours ago. One of the themes that echoed from my worthy opponents and even myself is transparency in our budget and then it hit me. I know the perfect way to do that and as a commonwealth employee in was right under my nose. The commonwealth has a process known as the Open Checkbook. Here is the link.

http://opencheckbook.itd.state.ma.us/analytics/saw.dll?Dashboard

   This was created with a collaborated ef fort by the Executive Office for Administration & Finance, the Office of the Treasurer and the Office of the Comptroller. Three entities that as a payroll supervisor I deal with on a semi-regular basis.
 
   The City of Boston has a similar process known as the Checkbook Explorer. It's the same concept only tailored specifically for Bostons' expenditures: Here is the link to their site.

 https://data.cityofboston.gov/checkbook/2013 

   The past three years blue books that show how and where the money was spent by line item have not been completed, thus we have no transparency in our budget and no idea where that money was invested or spent. With a system like open checkbook we can have that transparency and we also have someone already on the board that may be able to assist us in implementing this. Jim MacDonald, Vice Chairman of our Board of Selectman is a nearly 39 year veteran of the State Treasurer's office and was named First Deputy Treasurer in 2011. I would propose we do this to give our towns budget that transparency and I would reach out to Selectman MacDonald to help us implement this. 
   I believe this can be a very effective tool especially as we have a new Town Administrator hire on the horizon. I think this is something worth considering and would end any confusion over our budget and help our citizens understand what our town is doing with the tax dollars that we as tax payers are contributing to our town.
   Folks its ideas like this that I bring to the table. I have ideas, I have shared them with you. If you entrust me with one of your two votes I will be the voice you need. I have no special interest other then to get our taxes under control and to stop this whole business as usual mantra that has gone on for 13 years to the tune of 80% in increases in property tax. I humbly ask you to entrust one of your two votes to me on April 12. Let me get to work with all you so that we can be the best Dedham we can be. Thank you.