Adams Cemetery Commission Prepares For Budget Cuts
 Cemetery Supervisor David Nuvallie updates the commission last week on possible budget cutbacks. |
ADAMS, Mass. — The Cemetery Commission is prepared for possible budget cuts for the Department of Public Works.
"I am sure it's no secret budgets are tough this year … so we don't know where we are at this moment … We have heard all kind of rumors, and I don't want to speculate about rumors, but I know it is not good," Cemetery Supervisor David Nuvallie told the commission last week.
Commissioners are concerned about DPW layoffs that would affect maintenance on the cemetery grounds. Nuvallie said the DPW is down to 13 people responsible for parks, grounds, highways and cemeteries.
Nuvallie said they are trying to cut the budget so there are no layoffs, but if there are union layoffs the town may not be able to hire seasonal help for the cemetery with town money. He said this happened a few years ago.
"We had that six or seven years ago, and I don't know how they resolved it," he said. "I think they didn't hire any seasonal workers and the guys had to do all of the grass cutting and it was just a nightmare."
Commissioner Lawrence Clairmont said if the town does not have any layoffs and only cuts the seasonal help budget, the commission may be able to move interest accrued from the perpetual care account to use to hire help.
Chairman Robert Ciempa said the commission just needs to be proactive and fair to the union, DPW, and town.
"We are just concerned about not crossing the union lines and not doing anything prior," Ciempa said. "We work with the union and the town the same."
The commission also asked Nuvallie if the town will be appropriating money from the additional Chapter 90 highway funds the governor released last month for paving. Commissioners are wondering if the paving would extend into Bellevue Cemetery, where there is unfinished paving.
Nuvallie said it is not likely that there will be paving at all this year but he does not know for sure.
"As of right now, it is probably not going to happen but it's not definite until we go through the budget process … and then town meeting," he said. "It's anyone's guess right now."
The commission agreed to vote on putting the paving request in the budget next week anyways just in case something changes.
Tags: budget cuts, cemetery commission, DPW, fiscal 2016,
