Dennis Finance Committee recommends bylaw change to shift vacancy appointments to the moderator

The Dennis Finance Committee voted unanimously on July 13 to recommend a bylaw amendment that would transfer authority to fill committee vacancies from the finance committee to the town moderator.

Chair Cheryl McMahon said she drafted the change to Section 8‑3 of the bylaws and brought it to the committee for discussion. "My proposal is to eliminate the committee's appointment of a person to serve until the closing," McMahon said, arguing it is more appropriate for the moderator — who makes the permanent appointment — to fill the unexpired term.

Committee members debated the change. One member said the committee's current process was "efficient" and noted it had worked for roughly 50 years; another said moderator appointment would promote continuity and reduce the potential for problematic appointments in the future. After discussion a member moved to recommend the change to the select board and another member seconded; the committee chair called the vote and announced it was unanimous.

The committee did not itself amend the bylaw at this meeting; it forwarded the recommendation for the select board to consider placing an article on a future town meeting warrant (the chair mentioned the October special town meeting as a potential forum).