Sudbury Finance Committee rejects expanded watchdog language in procedures rewrite

SUDBURY — September 19, 2022 — Sudbury Finance Committee rejects expanded watchdog language and names Colin Wang as CPC liaison. The committee on Sept. 19 declined by consensus to adopt a series of edits proposed by member Henry "Hank" Sorett that would have described the panel as functioning as a watchdog on "imprudent, wasteful or unlawful" matters and authorized it to "act proactively." Co-Chair Michael Joachim called the language "abrasive" and "combative," while member Eric Poch said the committee is "an official fiscal independent assurance function," not an investigator. Sorett cited a $35,000 library PR expenditure and a roughly $200,000 jump in town legal bills as examples warranting scrutiny. The panel also dropped a reference to executive session and unanimously appointed Colin Wang as its representative to the Community Preservation Committee. Budget pressures meetings were set for Dec. 6 (SPS) and Dec. 12 (L-S).