ARTICLE 3A

MUNICIPAL FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Section 1.  There shall be a consolidated Department of Municipal Finance as provided under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 43C, Section 11, and as provided for in the following sections of this by-law.

Section 1.  The Department of Municipal Finance shall include the following statutory, by-law or otherwise authorized presently existing entities as follows:  Town Accountant, Town Treasurer, Administrative Assessor and Information Technology Personnel.  Additionally the Director of Municipal Finance, acting in an ex-officio capacity shall coordinate and assist the following financial committees:  Finance Committee, Priorities Committee, Capital Outlay Committee.

Section 3.  When in conflict, this by-law shall prevail over other Articles in the By-laws, or statutes as provided for in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 43C.

Section 4.  There shall be a Director of Municipal Finance who shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen and report to the Town Administrator when acting as the Board of Selectmen's designee. The term of office for said position shall not be less than three nor more than five years, subject to removal as provided for in this by-law.

Section 5.  The Director of Municipal Finance shall appoint the Accountant, Treasurer, Administrative Assessor and the Information Technology subject to approval by the Selectmen, except the appointment of the Administrative Assessor is subject to the approval of the Board of Assessors.  In performing duties where the approval of the Board of Assessors is statutorily required, the Administrative Assessor may be directed by the Director of Municipal Finance, but any final decision will be made by the Board of Assessors.

Section 6.  All officers appointed by the Director of Municipal Finance may be appointed for a term of office of up to three years.

Section 7.  The person holding the position of Director of Municipal Finance may also be appointed to hold in an ex-officio capacity other financial positions identified in this By-law, except that no person shall hold both the Town Accountant and Town Treasurer positions at the same time.

Section 8.  The Director of Municipal Finance shall be subject to removal for due cause as determined, and so voted upon by the Board of Selectmen or as may be otherwise provided by statute.

Section 9.  The Department of Municipal Finance shall be responsible for and shall include the following functions:

a. the coordination of all Town financial services and activities;

b. the maintenance of all Town accounting records and other financial statements and the supervision of all annual and special audits or reviews auditing functions including such audits or reviews provided by independent auditors;

c. the payment of all the Town's obligations;

d. the receipt of all funds due the Town from any source either directly or by means of the responsible Department Head;

e. the rendering of advice, assistance and guidance to all other Town departments, offices and agencies in any matter related to financial or fiscal affairs;

f. the monitoring throughout the fiscal year of the expenditure of all funds by Town departments, offices and agencies including periodic reporting to all such departments, offices and agencies on he status of accounts with recommendations concerning fiscal and financial policies to be implemented by such departments, offices and agencies;

g. the supervision of all purchases of goods, materials and supplies by town departments, offices and agencies except the School Department and maintenance of inventory controls;

h. the supervision of all data processing facilities, functions and activities.

Section 10. The Director of Municipal Finance shall be responsible for the functions of the Department of Municipal Finance.  He/she shall be specifically responsible in conjunction with the Town Administrator for the Annual Budgeting process.

Section 11. Subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen, the Director of Municipal Finance shall serve as the Town Chief Procurement Officer pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B, Section 2.