Windsor Budget Up 7 Percent; No Raises for Town Workers
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The total town budget for fiscal year 2010, including expenditures and schools and prior to the receipt of any aid or free cash, is $1,786,966. Factoring in stabilization money, Chapter 70 money and other aid, the budget that voters will likely have to approve is $1,323,294, said Wagner. A budget over $1.4 million, said Wagner, would require a Proposition 2 1/2 override.
Fiscal year 2009's budget, after aid and reserves, was $1,228,804; the new budget represents a 7 percent increase from this fiscal year.
The cost to pay for the town's contribution to the Central Berkshire Regional School District is about 85 percent of the total town budget for fiscal 2010, said Wagner. Although the CBRSD's total budget only increased by 2 percent, Windsor's share increased by 14 percent, or $127,244. This year, Windsor paid $903,117 into the CBRSD; next year it's $1,030,361.
An unidentified resident or residents had a large, one-time boost in income — either from lottery winnings or some kind of settlement, officials say — which threw off the town's total aggregate income, thereby forcing the town to contribute more next year to the school district budget.
"It's hurting us bad. It's a major, major hit for us," said Wagner, also a School Committee member, "but we'll shoulder it."
The town will likely be pulling money from stabilization or free cash to help cover the unexpected school costs.
To balance the budget, Wagner said employees will not receive pay increases next year. All town employees are non-union.
"Everybody has been told it's a freeze," said Wagner. "The problem I have with that, is the schools have contracts with employees and they have to go up. [Town employees] can't have a raise, because I need to have the money to be able to give a raise. That's very hard. There's not much I can do about it."
Wagner said there will be no major expenses for the coming year, but that the town will begin some new savings accounts to prepare for future needs.
"We tried to cut as many expense accounts as we could," said Wagner. Department heads were asked earlier in the year to submit budgets with 10 and 20 percent cuts to expenses.
The deepest the Finance Committee cut was 8 percent, largely across the board, with exception to the town library line item, which remained untouched, said Wagner. It's about $1,400.
"That would be the last to go," said Wagner.
Another necessary expense, said Wagner, was replacing the COPS grants — Community Oriented Policing Services — which will expire come next fiscal year. Police salaries went up by about $1,700 as a result, not for raises but for time on the streets, that was formerly covered by grants.
While it may not seem like a lot of money, Wagner said, "We're a very small town. Anything to do with the budget is large to us."
Selectmen are expected to sign the warrant for town meeting, which includes the budget, on Monday evening, said Selectwoman Barbara Giusti.
Town meeting will be held Monday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
Contact Noah Hoffenberg at hoff1013@gmail.com.
