Selectmen explore cost-saving options for FY11 budget

Date: 1/11/2010

Jan. 11, 2010



By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW -- The best case scenario for fiscal year 2011 (FY11) would be level funding, according to Selectman Jim Driscoll. The worst case scenario would be a cut of five percent in funding from the state.

"A five percent cut for us [all the departments under the purview of the the Board of Selectmen's office] would be [a loss of] $250,000," Town Accountant Tom Caliento explained. "It really comes down to people -- $250,000 is 10 to 15 people or everyone, including department heads, not working on Fridays for a full year."

These were the numbers discussed at a selectmen's meeting last Wednesday. Driscoll said he thought the town was in pretty good shape, but that it does need to plan for the worst. He added that "the last thing the selectmen want to do is lay somebody off" and that "everything is on the table."

"We may need less hours worked, less work days," Driscoll continued. "We need to make sure the taxpayers' dollars are spent wisely."

Caliento described the current fiscal situation as a difficult one, especially because the $250,000 worst case scenario cut would still be needed after taking $1.5 million from free cash. Taking any more than that for the budget could affect the town's bond rating.

Michael MacLeod of the Appropriations Committee said the committee looks at financial projections for the next few years, not just the next year. If costs are held flat in FY11, the town could use $1.5 million to $2 million from reserves, along with cuts, for level service funding. The same could be done in FY12.

"We're planning, thinking, exploring," MacLeod added.

The discussion of a four-day work week for the town brought up the fact that some departments are needed five days a week. Fire and police will not be cut, but departments such as the Council on Aging and Information Technology (IT) are also needed five days a week.

"With the merger [of the town's IT department and that of the schools], if we take Fridays off, that's 700 people we can't support," IT Director Ryan Quimby said.

"A four day week would definitely have an impact on the seniors at home that we serve," Carolyn Brennan, head of the Council on Aging, added. "Without our meals program [Meals on Wheels], that would be three days out of seven that some would not be getting their meals."

Other ideas, including early retirement offers, the renegotiation of contracts and a month-long premium holiday for those on the town's health insurance, were suggested.

Library Trustee and unofficial town historian Timothy Seeley noted that most of the ideas suggested to save money have been tried before. He cited an example in Utah where a four-day work week was implemented and the expected savings on utilities didn't occur because the employees were doing the same amount of work and using the same amount of energy.

Department heads will be reviewing level funded budgets and those with five percent cuts with the selectmen in the coming months. Caliento, however, doesn't believe the town will see funding numbers from the governor until March at the earliest, June or even July at the latest.

Board of Selectmen Chair Jack Villamaino asked that anyone with cost-saving ideas should contact the selectmen's office.