Budget Committee Bylaws

Town Of Durham Budget Committee Bylaws durhammaine.gov

Section 1. Committee Establishment

The Budget Committee of the Town of Durham was established through a town meeting vote in 1933. The town voted “to have a budget committee of nine members to be elected at a town meeting from the floor, three for 3 years, three for 2 years and three for 1 year. Three members shall be elected each year thereafter”. Members are now (2025) elected at the annual municipal election. As Durham does not have an ordinance governing a budget committee, these Bylaws establish the rules and guidelines for the operation of the committee.

Section 2. Officers; Quorum

Officers of the Committee shall consist of a Chair and Vice Chair to be chosen by vote annually at the first regular meeting each year by and from among the nine Committee members. The Chair shall preside at all Committee meetings and shall have authority to rule on questions of procedure, to maintain order and determine the course of proceedings, and to take such other action as may be necessary and not inconsistent with these bylaws or other laws to enable the Committee to perform its duties and conduct its affairs. The Chair shall also set the agenda for each meeting. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall preside and shall have the same authority as the Chair. No business may be conducted by the Board except at a duly called and notified meeting or without a quorum of the committee being present. A quorum shall consist of five (5) members. In the event of a vacancy the Chair shall request the Select Board appoint a replacement until the next annual town meeting which includes municipal elections.

Section 3. Meetings

All meetings are open to the public and notice of meetings shall be posted on the town website to include the date, time and place of the meeting. The Chair shall call meetings using the Town of Durham email.

Section 4. Participation and Voting

Any action and budget recommendations of the Committee with a quorum present shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of those present. No member may participate or vote in any matter in which the member has a conflict of interest or other disqualification as defined by law. Any question of whether a member has such a conflict of interest or other disqualification shall be decided by majority vote of the remaining members. The Committee may reconsider any decision at the same meeting or at a subsequent meeting within 30 days of its original decision, provided, however, that both a vote to reconsider and any action taken pursuant thereto shall occur and be completed within said 30 days.

A. Public participation is at the sole discretion of the committee and by majority vote.

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Section 5. Purpose, Responsibilities and Procedures

The committee’s role is advisory only with a primary purpose of providing the Select Board and town legislature with our recommended budget for the annual town meeting. The committee should keep in mind we represent town residents and should do our best to anticipate and answer questions that would typically arise at a town meeting. The committee should:

A. Review and make recommendations on the annual town budget provided by the Select Board. Recommendations for approval or changes shall be voted as a whole, by department or line item as seems best to the committee.

B. Review and make recommendations on annual capital expenditures as proposed by the Town Manager or Select Board including long rage capital budget planning.

C. Review and make recommendations on supplemental appropriations and expenditures and other budgetary action whenever proposed by the Select Board.

D. Make such other recommendations on fiscal matters as it may from time to time deem advisable.

Section 6. Waivers; Amendments

These bylaws, or any provision thereof, may be waived on any occasion by majority vote of the committee unless otherwise provided by law. These bylaws may be amended at any time in writing by majority vote of the committee after notice and public hearing on the proposed amendment.

Approved February 4, 2025 by:

Durham Budget Committee

___________________________________                ___________________________________
Milton Simon                                       Jill Gastonguay

___________________________________                ___________________________________
Allan Purinton                                     Marc Derr

___________________________________                ___________________________________
Jane Rice                                          Donna Church

___________________________________                ___________________________________
Phyllis Brannon                                    Neil Berry

___________________________________ John Talbot

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