Town Counsel told a room full of voters on April 7 that more than half of the articles listed on the warrant for spring Town Meeting and Special Town Meeting, both scheduled for April 25, can not be voted on due to budgetary uncertainties.

"All the monetary articles will be deferred to a subsequent Town Meeting," attorney Richard Bowen said during Pre-Town Meeting.

Pre-Town Meeting, hosted by Town Moderator Claire Smith and the Onset Protective League, is an effort to provide voters with information about articles on upcoming Town Meeting warrant.

The decision to postpone a vote on more than half of Town Meeting articles comes after a draft audit of Wareham's fiscal year 2010 financial statements indicated that $919,000 is unaccounted for.

Voters will be asked to hold all financial articles until May 23, after auditors have revealed the town's final numbers for fiscal year 2010.

Voters in attendance questioned whether or not voting on all articles could be postponed until the May 23 date.

Smith said Town Meeting will still be held April 25, at that time voters can decide to further delay the meeting.

She went on to provide voters with information about the articles that do not involve monetary concerns.

One topic that got residents howling was Article 21, which proposes tougher regulations for barking dogs.

The article suggests if a dog is found to be barking for more than 10 continuous minutes its owner is subject to a $50 fine. Repeater offenders would face stricter penalties, including the impoundment or euthanization of the dog.

"I can only encourage anyone who sees or hears this to vote it down," said Onset Protective League member Nancy Miller. "It's inhumane... and I'm not even a dog person."

Several residents in attendance agreed, but noted the debate should be saved until Town Meeting.

Town Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wareham High School Auditorium.

The Board of Selectmen met briefly following Pre-Town Meeting.

Its first order of business was to reorganize with newly-elected members Ellen Begley and Michael Schneider. The board unanimously voted Walter Cruz as chair and Steve Holmes as clerk.

The Selectmen then weighed in on the spring Town Meeting articles not having to do with finances and adjourned shortly before 8:30 p.m.