|
 Selectmen
Continue FY’ 2011 Budget Discussion
By Donald Cronin, News Producer
March 10, 2010
Watch
meeting online, indexed by agenda item
As the deadline for the board of
selectmen draws near to recommend the FY’2011 town budget to
the appropriations committee, the selectmen and the town
manager fined tuned the numbers at last evening’s Hopkinton
Board of selectmen meeting. Topping the discussion was the 10%
decrease in state aid. Town manager Norman Khumalo suggested
the town wait for a resolution pertaining to state aid.
“I am recommending the budget as
originally presented with no major changes” said Khumalo.
Selectman Todd Cestari asked “what is our latitude to move
funds around?” Appropriations committee chairman Ron
Eldridge responded by saying “you can go to a special town
meeting and make budget cuts if necessary”. Selectman
Michelle Gates asked Khumalo if any reductions have been made.
When the town manager said that no changes have been made to
the budget, Gates replied “I had hoped reductions could be
made to lessen the impact on the taxpayers.”
Selectmen chairman Brian Herr said he had
a recent discussion with a member of the appropriations
committee and asked if the reserve account could be trimmed
from $75,000 to $50,000 dollars. The town manager responded
“I am against cutting the reserve account”. Herr also
asked why the IT budget needed an increase of $105,000. “I
feel that it is important for town employees to have the tools
necessary to better serve customers and increase efficiency”
said the town manager. “That amount is also based on a
$50,000 salary to fund an IT position.”
Selectman Matt Zettek suggested a joint
letter with the school committee be sent to the state
legislature asking them to not chop chapter 7 funding. Town
manager Khumalo’s final comment to the board was that the
town should start planning for future pension liability.
Chairman Herr said that the board will
make a final determination on the budget at their next meeting
on March 15th.
|
