By Beth David, Editor
At its meeting on 5/2/25, the Acushnet Selectboard set a date of June 16 for the annual Town Meeting, pushing it out a couple of weeks more because the town is trying to reconcile a $1.2 million shortfall.
Town Administrator, Jaime Kelley, told the board that revenue is up only about $519K with almost no new growth. The tax levy (property taxes), is about 2/3 of the revenue; state aid is about 25%; and local receipts (building permits, excise taxes) is about 11%. He said local receipts are down about 30% from past year.
“State aid has been lagging,” said Mr. Kelley. “The state has not been helping the communities.”
The SB and Finance Committee have been working for weeks to try to close the gap, but expenses are simply outpacing revenue.
Last year’s School Department budget was about $19.3 million, leaving $17 million for the town side of the $36+ million budget from last year.
This year, the town is facing increases in water supply from New Bedford, salary increases, and a $735K increase requested by the school department.
But the increase in revenue is only about $519.
“How’s that math working out,” asked SB member Kevin Gaspar.
“The math is working out terrible,” said Mr. Kelly.
He said he is especially upset that Old Colony, which has Acushnet students that the town pays tuition for, is expecting more than $300K, which includes $132K from last year that they said was a one-time payment. He said he told Old Colony to come in at level funding, and he was hopeful they would be “reasonable.”
Mr. Kelly said the town cut every budget they could cut.
“But we are at the bone,” said Mr. Kelly. “There’s nothing more you can do this year.”
He asked the board to go over the submitted budgets from each department, and recommended postponing TM until 6/16.
SB member David Wojnar said if they could not figure it out, they could just go back to last year’s budget.
Mr. Kelly said they could do that, but it would be a “mess.”
Mr. Gaspar said they had done staff cuts, supplies, and it is still coming in $1.2 million higher. One third is the schools, he said.
“I’m a little bit disappointed they can’t sharpen the pencils and bring that down,” said Mr. Gaspar.
He noted that 70% of voters shot down a debt exclusion for school building repairs.
“People are frustrated,” said Mr. Gaspar. “I think all of us share their concerns.”
“Last year, you said we are rolling quarters,” said Mr. Kelly. “This year we are rolling pennies.”
In another matter, the town announced that Fairhaven is making 150 beach passes available to Acushnet residents at the Fairhaven resident rate.
The first 50 passes were first come, first serve, and the board set the date of May 6 for residents to go in person to get them. They sold out very quickly.
The next 100 passes will be chosen by lottery. Acushnet residents can get a paper form at the Select Board office or fill out the form online. A link to the form is on the town’s website at: https://www.acushnet.ma.us, or at https://tinyurl.com/y5wce9ps. Deadline is 5/13. You must have all debts to the town paid up before you apply, and you must have proof of residency. Passes are $40.
The board also continued a hearing for three Verizon poles on Mendall Road and Perry Hill Road; and one on Middle Road..
Brian Simmons and Anthony Veilleux told the board the poles were new/additional poles, not double poles. They are needed for cable upgrades and to handle the bigger loads.
Mr. Gaspar expressed concern for at least one address because it looked like the pole would be in the way or in front of a window. He said because the meeting was in the middle of the day, he felt the residents did not have a chance to attend.
There was some discussion and confusion on where exactly the poles would go.
Mr. Gaspar said he understood the need for the extra support.
“The problem is, aesthetically it looks like crap for the homeowner,” said Mr. Gaspar. “It’s not their fault somebody is making a bang and a buck on solar.”
Mr. Veilleux said he would have to check with the engineers to see how much leeway they had to move the poles.
Mr. Gaspar said suddenly they were putting poles a lot closer together. He asked if they could move some existing poles instead of always adding one in the middle.
Ted Cioper addressed the board when they got to the Middle Road pole and asked if they could replace the one at his driveway.
Mr. Cioper said he is two poles away from the one on the agenda. When he uses his boat, he has to have someone climb up on the boat, and push up the wires when he goes in and out of his driveway.
He also said someone actually zip-tied the lines together, and he was wondering if that was okay.
A taller pole would solve the problem, he said, and asked if someone could go out and take a look.
The board also continued that hearing.
The meeting was the first one after the election, so the board reorganized, voting for Mr. Wojnar to be chair, in keeping with the tradition of the person who is at the end of his term being chosen as chair.
The board also heard from Assistant Town Accountant, Jaime Valesquez; and Treasurer/Collector, Jennifer Garrant.
Ms. Valesquez updated the board on the audit process, and other changes she has made to the department to streamline processes. She said her department is working with the auditors now.
Ms. Garrant told the board that her “biggest thing” is cross training. She and Ms. Valesquez are able to cover for each other if one is out of the office.
Ms. Garrant told the board that they are also in the open enrollment period for health insurance for town employees, so they are answering a lot of questions.
The department has also been working to get online permitting up and running. Some are online now, including Select Board, Building, and public works, so recycling permits and other permits can be done online. The Town Clerk is next so people can apply for marriage licenses, etc.
In a related item, the board appointed Tania Tavares to be Assistant Treasurer/Collector.
The board also heard from Alliant Insurance Services with an update on the town’s health insurance for employees.
Chris Nunnally told the board that it is a “very challenging time” for municipal plans, with the average increase at 12%.
He said they got quotes from three providers and chose Harvard Pilgrim, which resulted in a 9.9% increase over last year. He said there are a few “augmentations” to the plan, including a concierge service for all active members, which will help members book appointments. There is an app with 24/7 messaging, and no charge for telehealth visits.
The board also met in executive session for collective bargaining; Town Administrator search; and health insurance negotiations with Allaint.
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