Lone Ballot Question on Dedham Ballot Explained

Dedham voters will decide Saturday whether to pass a charter amendment that allows the town administrator to sign payroll and other payments without prior approval from the Board of Selectmen if the payments have received approval from the finance director. 

Proponent Statement:

This change is a long-overdue modernization of our financial procedures. The charter amendment of1995, in creating the position of town administrator and redefining the role of the Board of Selectmen as a policy making body, provided that "nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any member of the board of selectmen, nor a majority of such members, to become involved in the day–to–day administration of any town agency." Final authorization of payment orders (warrants) is a routine operational function and should have been reassigned to the town administrator at that time, but itwas overlooked. Now statutory and contractual deadlines for payment of certain obligations, especially payroll, make it nearly impossible for a majority of the selectmen to sign all warrants prior to issuance of checks. Nevertheless, the town is required to make timely payments to avoid being in violation of the law and our contractual obligations to our vendors, bondholders and employees. The state Department of Revenue says that "a growing number of towns are adopting a charter provision … which authorizes a … town administrator to sign warrants in place of the selectmen." This update to the charter will complement the 1995 amendments and continue the movement toward professional management and operational efficiency in town government.

This statement was prepared by Robin Reyes, Dedham treasurer 

Opponent Statement

A vote against the charter amendment would maintain the status quo, which requires the town administrator and at least three members of the Board of Selectmen to approve payroll and other payments before they can be made, and would block implementation of the proposed more streamlined system voted by the Special Town Meeting of Nov. 15, 2010.

This statement was prepared by town counsel, in accordance with Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2002, as no Opponent was identified.