Town Meeting voters approved Article 22, authorizing the town to seek special legislation from the state to establish a Finance Director position. The proposal, presented by the Select Board, aims to centralize financial oversight across departments including the Treasurer, Accountant, and Assessors to address long-standing coordination issues.

Select Board member Steve Darcy compared the current fragmented structure to a football team without a coordinator. This would create a team environment where problems can be detected early and remedied quickly, Darcy said. Advisory Board member Jan Martin supported the shift, noting that flat organizations are often inefficient and struggle to progress initiatives. The move comes as the town continues its search for a permanent Town Administrator and grapples with a reported $7 million deficit.

The article faced opposition from residents concerned about costs and administrative growth. Amory Senate argued that adding a new position would not solve the underlying problem of using one-time revenue for recurring expenses, while Joe Pacovich called the move premature. Despite these concerns, the motion passed by a majority show of hands.

Motion: To authorize the submission of a special act of legislation to establish the position of a finance director.

Vote: Passed