Town Notes
Published on March 28th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA Budget cuts Selectmen approved $611,963 in cuts proposed by Acting Town Administrator Ron Florino Tuesday night. The cuts would balance Stoneham’s fiscal year 2002 budget at $47.1 million, assuming a $19.8 million budget can be met by the schools. Draft 3 from the schools asks for $20.3 million. The municipal cuts approved Tuesday came from the following sources: Town Administrator’s Office: The Town Administrator’s secretary plans to retire this year, and her replacement will get $15,000 less. Since contracts have been settled, $10,000 set aside for a labor lawyer is not necessary. Also, all out of state travel expenses will be cut, saving $9,000. Reserve Fund: Florino plans to put $30,000 less into the Reserve Fund, leaving the fund at $85,000. He says that the fund can be replenished at the October Town Meeting with free cash. Police Department: Two retiring patrolman will not be replaced at a savings of $124,213, considering salaries and health insurance. Also, a patrolman replacing another retiree will come in at $16,824 less. And overtime will be cut by $20,000. Fire Department: Two retiring firefighters will not be replaced at a savings, considering salaries and insurance, of $101,694. Metro Tech Budget: Florino says that the town should pay the minimum amount of $313,000 as opposed to the school’s request for $331,000 and hope that the Metro Tech doesn’t get the local votes to pass the budget. If the budget passes, Stoneham can pay the rest in October. The town did this last year. Public Works: Not filling a vacancy will save $38,384 and reducing services, like tree trimming, will save $16,000. Also, the town is counting on private donations to cut costs of maintaining public parks by $20,000. Community Services: Public Works will do the landscaping for the Council on Aging and one employee switched from a family to individual health plan at a savings to the town of $4,600. Library: Sunday hours will be eliminated to save $9,500. Capital: Florino proposes spending $90,000 on capital maintenance and waiting to see how much free cash is available in October. For now the town golf courses will get $25,000 and the other buildings will get $25,000. Workers’ Compensation: Rates rose slower than expected at a savings of $7,426. Employee Appreciation Day: Florino proposes eliminating the event at a savings of $8,400. Special Articles: Money set aside to fund warrant articles won’t be spent, saving $50,000. The Building Department: The department tells Florino that they can raise $20,000 more than estimated in fees by being more aggressive. The Selectmen approved Florino’s proposals, but the schools are struggling to close the $500,000 gap. Florino said that he and Superintendent of Schools Joe Connelly will work it out before Town Meeting. Election Reminder: The Town Election is April 3. The Town Hall polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots must be picked up no later than noon of April 2 and returned by 8 p.m. of April 3. South Main Street The state will begin repaving South Main Street on April 2. This is not the major reconstruction project of the Transportation Improvement Program for which residents have waited 15 years, but it’s a start. The agreement calls for the state to pay for the paving. When paving is complete, the town will stripe the center of the roadway and both sides so that residents will be able to park on Main Street. Selectman Pat Jordan credited the effort of State Senator Richard Tisei (R-3rd Middlesex). Work begins at the Friendly’s end.
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