Finance Committee Chairman Larry McDonald read a version of this letter at the Finance Committee meeting on May 7.

On June 30, 2014, my term on the Finance Committee will be complete. I want to thank each and every member of the Finance Committee for their hard work and commitment. It is your dedication that makes our group special.

I would like to thank Frank Heath and Donna Bronk for encouraging me and bringing me to the Finance Committee. For those members who were present when I arrived, I hope I’ve proven to you that I belong and that I was not a crackpot who came to further a personal or political agenda.

At the beginning of my term as chairman, we set a goal of providing as much information as possible to Town Meeting voters. We succeeded. It is my hope the Finance Committee utilizes our model for the Warrant and Report of the Finance Committee at Town Meetings in the future. What we have accomplished this year is amazing and we should be proud of that fact. Three former Finance Committee chairmen stood up at Town Meeting and gave our work high praise. We have received praise from town officials and citizens. Each of you should be proud of our accomplishments.

I would like to thank Derek Sullivan, Kimberly Shaver-Hood, and Michael MacMillan. We are fortunate to have their bright leadership. They were easy to work with and what they produced together exceeded my expectations. I would also like to thank the chairs of both the Selectmen and the School Committee. Their commitment to work together and with the Finance Committee was a welcome change.

I cannot go without thanking a very critical and important person. Her role with the Finance Committee goes un-noticed for the most part, but without her, I know I would be lost. Kelly Barrasso has endured an entire year of dealing with me. We set a very busy schedule and she not only kept us on track, but she managed to gather all the information and put it into the Warrant and Report of the Finance Committee. She deserves our gratitude.

I also want to take a minute to thank Marilyn Donahue. When I agreed to accept the chair, I said I would do it only if she served as vice-chair. The short explanation is we work well together. The longer explanation would take up an entire meeting. She is tireless, intelligent, highly skilled, and she is a true advocate for making Wareham a better place for all of us.

A wise man told me, “Delegate to us and we will help you”. That proved to be sage advice, so thank you David Heard. What I found is that it is much easier to be a chair when you have this group. Your hard work made me look good.

I would be remiss without thanking my wife Liz, who has put up with all my mood swings and constant meetings. Thank you to my son Brian and daughter Portia. This means more father/son fun and more time to watch my daughter play softball and ice hockey.

I want to leave you with a quote from General George Patton, “Always do more than is required of you.”

I hope you learned as much from me as I have learned from you. You have my respect and admiration. I am a phone call away if you need my input or help. I believe in this committee and look forward to seeing your work in the future.

Larry McDonald 
Finance Committee Chairman