Clarksburg Recommends Tight Budget, Bylaw Changes

By Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
02:22AM / Friday, May 01, 2009

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CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Voters will be presented a lean budget for next year that includes furloughs for town employees and cuts in stipends for elected officials.

The Selectmen closed the warrant for town meeting on Wednesday after two public hearings on articles that will be decided by voters and a joint meeting with the Finance Committee to set the budget.

The $3.5 million total budget is up barely a percent from last year, or about $44,000. The town side of the budget is down $46,352 from last year to $917,655; the school budget for fiscal 2010 $2,570,897, up $90,350 from last year.

The town budget includes cuts to or the elimination of line items across all department. Town Administrator Michael Canales described it as a "bare bones budget" that's "getting us down to our core services."

The budget recommended to town meeting is not the worst-case scenario but close to it. The Selectmen fear that without clear numbers coming out of the state the town may have to come back in July and adjust the budget downward. The state is struggling to close a budget gap for this year while putting together a fiscal 2010 spending plan that could already be $1 billion short.

"These cuts affect every single person," said Canales. The town has been willing to listen to workers' concerns and ideas, but "it's either cuts or reductions to keep our budget stable, or layoffs or raising taxes."

Employees' wages have been frozen, with exception of step raises, and a number have been reduced; workers will have to take a unpaid furloughs, the details to be determined after the budget is approved; the custodial position at Town Hall has been eliminated and two extra random police patrols approved at last year's town meeting will be eliminated, and elected officials stipends cut in half.

Responsiblities for a number of offices have picked up by other, for example, duties of the animal control officer have been picked up the police and the assessor position has been eliminated in favor of just a Board of Assesssors. The library has been cut by $8,000; the town clerk's office by $1,000 and the administration by $5,500.

Some $30,000 in free cash will be used to reduce the tax rate; if the budget passes, homeowners should expect to see an extra $28 in their quarterly bills.

"My take is plan for the worst and hope for the best," said Selectman Carl McKinney.

Also on the warrant is a littering bylaw that would allow the town to fine residents who push leaves, snow or other debris in the road, foul water sources and throw trash and items along the roadside, and an amendment to the zoning bylaw that would allow a proposed senior housing center to be built in an industrial zone. Public hearings were held on both bylaws on Wednesday, with the Planning Board recommending the zoning change.

Voters will also decide whether to place a petition to make the treasurer, town clerk and tax collector appointed positions on next year's election ballot; to accept the donation of a lot on Carson Avenue; and to raise the sewer operations budget by $10,000 as a way to replenish the sewer enterprise fund to begin paying back the town. The town was forced by the Department of Revenue to place $30,000 in the fund, raising the town tax rate this year, because sewer users were not paying their bills on time.

Town meeting is scheduled Wednesday, May 20, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Elementary School.

In other business, the Selectmen approved a measure that would require employees planning to retire to be enrolled in the town's insurance plan before their retirement date if they wish to continue receiving benefits. Current retirees not enrolled under the town's plan have until the next open enrollment before the rule takes effect. Open enrollment began May 1.

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