The committee also focused on the reorganization of its leadership, appointing Don Hayes as chair, Valerie Goodrich as vice chair, and Harrison M as clerk. These appointments were made through unanimous voice votes.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to evaluating the current audit committee policy and considering potential amendments. Discussions touched on the involvement of the finance team and its role in the audit process. The committee deliberated on whether more responsibilities should be formally assigned to the team or referenced in the policy. Members expressed interest in possibly recommending changes to the select board.

The committee also addressed the upcoming presentation of the annual audit, expecting it to occur on April 21st. Members sought to ensure early access to the audit report to prepare adequately for the meeting with the finance team. Concerns were raised about the lack of follow-up on repeated audit findings, highlighting a need for improved accountability and response to identified issues. This led to discussions about integrating such measures into the financial policies manual, potentially involving the town administrator’s office.

The introduction of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) was another topic of interest. The committee considered whether CPA accounts should be separately audited or included within the general audit framework, with plans to consult auditors for clarity during the forthcoming joint meeting with the finance team.