prop 2 1/2

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation issued its latest report on the state of municipal budgets [Full Article: The Boston Globe].  There are no real surprises...that is if you have been paying attention to the economy, discussions in the State House regarding revenues and budget cuts, and watching your own city or town lose employees.  The surprises may be the magnitude of the unfunded pension and health funds that were measurable and promised as part of employment...that's unconscionable.

Our families and our communities need investments in the services, schools, and infrastructure that make Massachusetts a great place to live and work.  How will this happen?  In order to make the necessary investments, we need to raise significant revenues.  Governor Cuomo in New York has taken the lead, as has Governor Brown in California...That revenue should come primarily from the highest income earners.

“The numbers demonstrate just how difficult this recession and fiscal crisis have been for cities and towns,’’ said Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. “Their revenues have been virtually flat, while their costs have grown, which has meant cuts in schools, public safety, and other basic services for most cities and towns.’’

“These are challenging times,’’ said Michael V. O’Brien, the Worcester city manager. “The global economy, the national economy, and the regional economy have all suffered in the downturn, so the revenues aren’t there for the state to distribute.’’

Is the town of Shirley facing the "R"-word...Receivership?  Will its residents vote for a balanced approach to address the deficit - additional revenues and strategic cuts - to perhaps forestall the Receivership?

... in July, Town Meeting will be faced with the daunting task of having to cut $552,000 from the budget after voters earlier this month returned $60,000 to the budget for the library, $4,608 to pay a Zoning Board of Appeals clerk and $487,000 toward the $4.7 million assessment requested by the Regional School Committee...If the override fails, the town will be forced to cut $704,000 from the budget. [Full Article: Sentinel and Enterprise]

Although the Town approved the latest special assessment of $1.1 million, it's not a slam dunk that the School Department will receive needed funds of $700,000 to address a funding gap.

At a recent School Committee meeting [Superintendent of Schools Richard] Langlois presented potential budget cuts in three tiers that started at $420,000 and rose to $1.2 million. He was forced to take action because the School Department needs an additional $1,613,659 to maintain the current level of services next year — which is less than the total raised by the special assessment.  [Full Article: Wicked Local Saugus]

Without these additional revenues, necessary services and jobs would be cut...police, fire, DPW, City Hall.   These are challenging times where many cities and towns are having to make thoughtful decisions - looking at budget deficits through a balanced approach by raising additional revenues and making strategic cuts.

There are fixed expenses Mayor Dean Mazzarella said the city simply can't get around, and that's why the tax levy will be raised another 2 1/2 percent if the City Council approves his fiscal 2012 budget of $100.7 million...When Ward 4 Councilor Robert Salvatelli asked Mazzarella what he'd have to do to avoid a 2 1/2 percent tax level increase (the limit allowed by state law) he said he'd have to cut city services, and staff, which he said are already at minimum levels.  [Full Article: Sentinel and Enterprise]

Ms. Eurim Chun couldn't have said it better. It is time to invest in our future and in our communities!

By unofficial count, the override lost by only 49 votes.  Per household in Sudbury, the average annual tax bill would increase $88; that's .8% of the average amount the current homeowner is currently paying.

“Everyone gets impacted by how the cuts play out,’’[Scott] Carpenter said. “It touches every student at every grade level.’’...While the cuts aren’t massive, Carpenter said, they come on the heels of incremental budget cuts over the past 10 years.  [Full Article: Boston Globe]

Proposition 2 1/2 override petitions had mixed success yesterday as residents in Sudbury voted down a measure and Arlington’s citizens approved their bid. “It will be a difficult year for some kids at Lincoln-Sudbury and a more difficult year than we would have hoped,’’ said Mark Collins, chairman of the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee." [Full Article: Boston Globe]

East Bridgewater, Hanover, and Scituate will have more money to restore infrastructure and provide services in the next fiscal year, thanks to voters agreeing to proposed tax increases, while Hanson must slash budgets following two recent override defeats. [Full Article: Boston Globe]

Arlington hoping to raise $6.49 million in anticipation of budget deficits over the next three years.

The teachers form the largest public employees union in Arlington, and Town Manager Brian Sullivan said that if the other unions agree to the health care changes, the town would save $1.3 million in the year starting July 1...[Selectwoman Clarissa] Rowe, who is also cochairing the “Yes for Arlington’’ group of override supporters, said town officials were anticipating that new contracts negotiated with public employee unions would save Arlington about $1 million next fiscal year...The savings would not offset the town’s $3.8 million projected budget deficit, she said.  [Full Article: Boston Globe]Boston Globe] 

Once Franklin stopped growing, state aid decreased.  The challenge to balance this town's 2012 budget is a scenario that's being replicated throughout the Commonwealth.

"When it comes to what gets cut, given that we have to make cuts, I am going to support cutting the library over police, fire and DPW every day of the week," [Town Council Chairman Scott] Mason said...The Finance Committee has recommended an $89.3 million fiscal 2012 budget that cuts about 31 positions, including the library jobs, two firefighters, two police officers, 14.3 school positions and four Public Works jobs.  [Full Article: Wicked Local Franklin]