By Beth David, Editor
The Acushnet Selectboard has been grappling with a budget shortfall, with the town facing a sharp increase in school spending, and not much in the way of state help. Town Administrator James Kelley said the increase in school spending is more than $1 million, but the state has only ponied up about $35,000 more.
He said the town overall is looking at a $900K to $1 million deficit, with the schools being the biggest driver of the increase in spending.
“They [the state] tell us everything we have to do in the school district, and then don’t give us the money,” said Mr. Kelley.
The problem is statewide, he said, with a majority of school districts getting only the minimum from the state this year.
He said he is talking to the school department to see where they can cut expenses, and talking to Old Colony to see “if they can sharpen their pencil any.”
On the state side, he said they are negotiating with health insurance providers and general insurance providers to find some savings.
He has also been negotiating with the utilities to try to get some savings there.
The town is also actively looking at some regionalization with Fairhaven, hoping to save on some positions that can be shared. The two school departments are also looking at regionalization possibilities.
At its meeting on 4/2/24, the Selectboard looked at a number of the smaller budgets for the town meeting warrant.
Budgets remain flat for Finance Committee, Reserve Fund, Town Moderator, Soil Board, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Board of Appeals, Snow and Ice, Cemeteries, Veterans’ Services, Park.
Legal Services has a flat line item, but Mr. Kelley told the board that there is a $22,618 deficit in legal.
Animal Control is also flat, but SB Chairperson Kevin Gaspar noted that a union contract may be ratified which will increase that salary item.
Forestry was also up a bit, said Mr. Gaspar because a lot of tree cutting. The police details will also increase because of the tree work.
The library got split into two sections. Mr. Kelley said he wanted to pull out electric due to his negotiations with the Eversource.
The board may consider solar for the library, as its electric bill runs about $1200/month.
The Board also looked at some changes to the Stormwater Bylaw that will be presented to Town Meeting. The board had only just received the information, so did not vote on it, but will take it up at the 4/16 meeting.
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