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Town debates setting aside $350,000 for increasing expenses

Date: 3/21/2011

March 21, 2011

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

LONGMEADOW — A proposal to set aside $350,000 was a matter of some discussion at the town's presentation of the proposed fiscal year 2012 (FY12) budget on March 15.

Town Manager Robin Crosbie made the recommendation, stating the money, which would come from the town's estimated $800,000 in free cash, would serve as insurance for the town, should any collective bargaining be agreed upon in the middle of the fiscal year.

Residents questioned why the money was not being made available for other projects or expenses the town has incurred or will in FY12.

"One of the things that is important to bear in mind is if midyear, there is a settlement, especially in the schools, the town will have to come up with the money," Crosbie explained. "Under the labor agreement, we cannot lay off teachers in the middle of the year. This is a way to respond to any agreements without creating havoc in our budget."

Crosbie described the $350,000 as a "bridge," which would allow the town more time to make decisions on where to pull the extra money that may be needed in the event of a new collective bargaining agreement.

She added that by setting aside funds from free cash prevents asking town departments to make cuts.

"I don't think the departments are willing to make cuts based on settlements that haven't happened," she said.

Overall, the proposed budget is $57.4 million, a 3.33 percent increase over last fiscal year's $55.6 million budget. The general fund will contribute $49.7 million, while school special revenue will contribute $2.6 million. Water receipts will make up $2.1 million, while sewer receipts will add nearly $2 million. Solid waste and recycling will account for just short of $1 million.

Crosbie said that an increase of town revenues of $86,195 helped the town recover from the reduction in state aid and school special revenues.

"The picture is a lot brighter than last year," Crosbie said. "I want to credit the department heads who had to make a lot of difficult choices."

The schools are one area that are being helped by the projected budget, as Crosbie noted that the school department will see a two-person increase in personnel, in addition to the restoration of funding for positions that were maintained by school choice and grants in FY12.

Borrowing for the Longmeadow High School building project has spiked the town's debt from $1.6 million to $2.4 million, a 48.21 percent increase, according to Crosbie.

Resident Joe Occhiuti voiced displeasure in the general management of town finances, alleging the town does not have the best interests of children in mind.

"I'm concerned about the monies being spend on a lot of services when the number one priority should be the children," he said. "Year after year we are one of the top 10 wealthiest communities per household in Massachusetts, but kids bring notes home saying they have to bring [supplies] to school. They have to pay for sports, for fine arts and to park their cars on town property, and year after year, we find that we're short [money]."

Occhiuti asserted that there are "entitlement programs that have not been eradicated" in town, including reimbursing expenses to town employees for travel to and from their homes, tax shelters and town vehicles being allowed to be taken home by employees.

"We have to do much more in scrutinizing line items," he said.



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