The meeting began with a discussion about the Maynard High School senior project, a capstone requirement for seniors that has been in place for over a decade. The project aims to help students clarify their post-graduation plans, often involving college education. Students declare their fields of interest in the fall, write related research papers, and seek internships or job shadow placements in the spring. Recently, the high school received a designation for an innovation pathway in business and finance, necessitating students to accumulate 100 hours of experience, a significant increase from the previous requirement of 25 hours for the senior project.

A guest speaker from the high school outlined the potential for finance committee involvement. The speaker emphasized the real-world experience students would gain, proposing that the finance committee could facilitate this by acting as mentors or supervisors. Students would fill out time sheets for their projects, signed off by a mentor, and evaluated on essential work skills. The committee expressed interest in collaborating with students on writing comments for warrant articles and offering opportunities to attend public meetings to observe local government processes.

The meeting then shifted focus to recent town meeting procedures and communication. Concerns were raised about the moderator’s role in communicating amendments and changes during the town meeting, with some members feeling that their prior endorsements were not adequately communicated or validated. Specific articles, including those related to pest control and accessory dwelling units, were mentioned as points of confusion. Members expressed a need for clearer communication and decision-making from the select board and the town manager, particularly regarding budget changes such as the reduction in solid waste funding.

The committee also addressed procedural improvements for future meetings, emphasizing the importance of early discussions and feedback on budgetary matters. Discrepancies between what was passed at the annual town meeting (ATM) and what was documented in the warrant were noted, particularly concerning solid waste funding and the Green Meadow School’s debt schedule. These discrepancies will require attention at the upcoming special town meeting to ensure accurate representation of the town’s financial commitments.

Budget allocations for various departments were another focus of the meeting. Police salaries saw a uniform increase of 2.5%, while the Roosevelt building’s budget increased from $41,000 to $50,000. Capital projects experienced a drastic reduction from $50,000 to zero. The committee noted these changes, along with a $200,000 allocation for the senior center, though it was unclear which department this funding would be assigned to.

A point of contention arose regarding the solid waste budget, which appeared to be zeroed out for fiscal year 2026. Members sought confirmation and clarification, with the Select Board reportedly reintegrating some funds into the Department of Public Works for trash services. Discrepancies in budget figures were discussed, with members noting differences between the agenda and the actual budget, attributed to the debt service for the Green Meadow School.

Amidst these discussions, internal administrative matters were addressed, including the scheduling of meetings with the town manager for fiscal year planning and clarifying membership roles within the committee. The chair encouraged members to think about their positions and confirmed her willingness to continue as chair, despite complications related to her employer’s policies on appearances in meetings.

The committee also considered future planning, discussing the adoption of tools like ClearGov for capital planning and the possibility of presenting a “state of the town” report to provide context for upcoming town meetings. They concluded with a general agreement to maintain a light and succinct agenda for future meetings, emphasizing efficiency post-annual town meeting preparations.

As the meeting wrapped up, the committee agreed to approve and amend prior meeting minutes, despite some confusion about posting requirements. They expressed a need for clarity regarding the recording and posting of minutes, with a suggestion to consult the new clerk for guidance.