Who is running this nuthouse anyway?

The Chronicle reports that the Finance Committee has devised a plan to forecast the town's fiscal needs and resources beyond the next budget year. They deserve kudos for this long overdue action. Why our Select Board has not required this from our executive administrator all along is an open question. Here is what the Town Charter says about such planning,

The budget message of the executive administrator shall, include, specifically, projection of the fiscal and financial needs of the town for at least the next five fiscal years, or such longer period as may be deemed
appropriate, both as to income and expenses, as well as any substantial financial expenditures contemplated by any department, committee, or board during such period, including budget programs related to infrastructure maintenance, improvement and expansion. The message shall also include a forecast of any fiscal trends which the executive administrator believes are likely to have an affect on the town’s revenues or expenses. Dartmouth Town Charter, section 5-3 adopted April 3, 2000. Link hereMS Word file

Here is what the DOR report from last year said in Recommendation #1:

We recommend that the executive administrator, in consultation with the budget and
finance director, annually build a 3-5 year revenue and expenditure forecast and review it with the select board, finance committee and school committee. Link here PDF file

Total Finance Committee Salary - $0.00