Selectmen find $348,000 to save jobs and services
Published on April 18th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - With preliminary figures for state aid higher than expected, police officers, firefighters and library hours cut two weeks ago may be coming back to town.
Acting Town Administrator Ron Florino said Stoneham will receive around $345,000 more than anticipated this year.
“I think it works out to $348,000,” Selectmen Chairman Tony Kennedy confirmed.
The money breaks down as follows: an additional $168,000 from State Lottery receipts, $90,000 in Medicaid reimbursement to the schools for services provided to needy students, $47,000 less than budgeted in total charges (fees Stoneham pays the state for MBTA service, etc.) and $43,000 more in overall state aid as indicated on preliminary figures from the state.
Last week Selectmen announced plans to fund two new firefighters starting in October 2001 and two new police officers starting in January 2002. These positions were originally budgeted, then cut, and now they’re back. In all cases the positions were either new positions or vacancies left by retirement; no one ever lost a job in this theoretical haggling. But more safety officers will be on the street next year if the Selectmen get their way.
Sunday hours for the Public Library will continue next year, and so will Town Employee Appreciation Day. Both were cut from the fiscal 2002 budget last month.
Selectmen also recommended favorable action on Article 40 of the May 7 Town Meeting, a request from the Beautification Committee for $20,000. In fact, Selectmen tacked on $2,000. The Finance Board, however, does not support this article, according to Chairman Richard Gregorio.
This accounts for around $148,000 of the new dough and balances the municipal side.
The Town will give the remaining $200,000 to the schools to bring that budget to an even $20 million. But the schools still need $161,000, and this factors in renting the East School for around $100,000 for the year.
The Finance Board is reviewing the numbers, and nothing is final until the vote on Town Meeting floor, but signs of progress are budding like spring flowers.
Florino said the final school budget gap may be closed at a “summit” meeting of the Selectmen, School Committee and Finance Board at Town Hall, April 25 at 6 p.m.
Options on the table include dipping into the Stabilization Fund, relying on free cash (money left over in budget line items), or any wildcards played at Town Meeting.
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