Town budget shows school coffer reduction
Published on February 1st, 2006
STONEHAM, MA - Town Administrator Ron Florino unveiled a $58.6 million FY07 budget on Tuesday night which eliminates four public safety officials and doles out a lump $950,000 reduction to the school district's draft expense plan.
Compared to current year expenditures, Florino's FY07 spending proposal calls for a modest $967,000 jump in costs, an increase hovering below an overall two-percent increase.
However, according to the Town Administrator, his final $58.6 million budget proposal
- which does not include $950,000 in revenues from the trash fee - presents a bottom-line figure that's nearly $2.8 million less than departmental needs for next year.
"If the town wishes to offer the same level of services in fiscal year 2007, it will have to overcome a $2.75 million deficit," Florino summarized.
"This massive deficit is partly due to lost revenues of $950,000 resulting from the possible elimination of the $150 trash fee next year," the Town Administrator explained, listing soaring health insurance, special education, and utility costs as other major contributors to the fiscal hole.
Deliberating on how to implement a $900,000 decrease in Stoneham's municipal expenditures - the Town Administrator also mandated a significant $950,000 cut in educational expenses - over half of Florino's proposed reductions fall upon the town's three major operations: the public works, police, and fire departments.
Amounting to over $340,000, nearly 37 percent of the municipal cuts fall upon Stoneham's police and firefighting forces, resulting in the elimination of two patrolmen, the Deputy Fire Chief, and one firefighter.
"All of these departments have really already absorbed cuts over the years. These [reductions bring the police and fire department] well below the staffing levels required to respond to safety issues," Florino cautioned.
Labeling the proposed budget cuts as "unacceptable", Selectman Tony Kennedy urged his counterparts to reconsider the issue of the garbage fee. Although the Board of Selectmen currently hasn't taken a formal stance on a renewed rubbish fee for FY07, the group unanimously ordered the Town Administrator to craft a budget plan without the citizen trash charges.
In addition, in a 4-1 vote this January, the Selectmen placed a non-binding referendum question on the April election ballot on the rubbish fee.
"It's not acceptable that we should lose two more policemen, two more firefighters, and who knows, 20 to 30 additional teachers," Kennedy argued. "So I think we seriously need to reconsider or consider whether the trash fee is the way to go, at least for another year."
Responding to the Selectman's suggestion that the mandated $950,000 reduction could lead to axing 20 to 30 teaching positions, School Supt. Dr. Joseph Connelly warned that the school department has no personnel positions it could possibly slash from its operating budget.
According to Connelly, with the educational budget already hamstrung from several rounds of reductions over the past few years, the School Committee would likely consider more drastic measures during its regular meeting this Thursday.
And while the Superintendent wasn't specific as to what exactly those options would entail, Florino's budget summary does specifically mention the closure of Stoneham educational facilities as a potential action.
"Tony mentioned cutting 20 to 30 teachers and we've mentioned that in the last two or three years, we've cut so many teachers and support personnel that we have nowhere else to cut," Connelly said.
"They'll have to be other considerations made that will be far more serious when you think of the school system and the schools we're so proud of," the Superintendent added.
According to Florino, he initially offset the estimated $2.8 million deficit for next year through several revenue streams, including: $550,000 in stabilization account usage, $250,000 in new state aid, and $100,000 in new growth. The resulting $1.85 million gap was then split between the school and municipal side of governments.
A full list of the Town Administrator's reduction to municipal department functions follows.
•Police Department slashed by total of $182,904, resulting in two patrolman vacancies being left unfilled and a $38,000 reduction in overtime expenditures
•Fire Department budget reduced by $159,553, meaning Deputy Chief and firefighter position will remain unfilled
•Public Works expenditures decreased by $140,509, eliminating full-time position, entire field maintenance budget, and $30,000 from electricity budget
•Public Library slashed by $132,542, cutting one position and reducing the book budget by $80,000. Additional $22,882 saved by two employees switching health care coverage
•Council on Aging/Senior Center budget reduced by $32,622, eliminating van driver who's reportedly responsible for transporting seniors for medical treatment and doctors visits
•Accounting Office budget cut by $33,166, meaning assistant town accountant's position will be left vacant and replaced by new 19-hour position
•Arena expenditures slashed by $27,583 through cutting full-time assistant position and increasing part-time budget
•Unicorn Golf operations slashed by $23,000, resulting in decrease of Golf Pro manager's line item and reducing water budget
•Board of Health part-time budget cut by $5,000
•Assessor's office supply budget reduced by $500
•Reserve Fund not funded at $50,000 level
•Debt service savings of $50,000 realized through restructuring new bonds.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!