Department heads build their case against budget cuts

Department heads build their case against budget cuts

Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer


TEMPLETON— Department heads went before the Board of Selectmen and Templeton residents during Thursday evening’s Town Hall forum to present their case concerning proposed budget cuts ahead of the special town meeting.

Across the board, the general consensus from both the selectmen and department heads was that a slash to already suffering budgets would result in a severe reduction in services and affect the ability of most departments and offices to complete their required work.

“Any additional cuts we might have to make will be devastating,” commented member Doug Morrison.

On January 27, the Board of Selectmen asked department heads to make a five percent cut to their remaining budget and present the results to the board. The Town Hall forum was held to allow department heads a chance to explain exactly how much money would be cut from their budgets, where that money would come from, and answer questions from the public.


Interim Town Administrator Bob Markel started the evening by offering an update on the town’s complex financial situation before conceding that budget cuts and efficiency measures will likely not close the considerable budget gap, which now stands at around $300,000. He then said that, based on all the articles on the special town meeting warrant, the Advisory Board recommended a tax override to make up the remaining difference, adding about $1 per thousand to the tax rate. An override would solve both the current budget gap and the structural deficit for Fiscal Year 2015 and beyond, but Mr. Markel also presented actions the board and town could take to save money.

“Before we ask for an increase in taxes, we should look at what we can do to trim costs,” he said.

Starting with the selectmen’s office, Mr. Markel noted that the board has not filled an open position and is down to one employee. There is also an article on the special town meeting warrant concerning the combining of the Treasurer and Tax Collector positions — a practice common in almost all towns and cities in the state — and there have been discussions about consolidating other municipal offices, although he did not mention potential pairings.

Fire Chief Raymond LaPorte took the floor next, explaining that his department has watched its budget shrink by roughly 23 percent since the start of FY 2, but he has worked around the cuts through juggling schedules and offering incentives for night and weekend coverage. However, according to the chief, further reductions will seriously compromise the department’s ability to keep their life saving equipment certified and maintained. Without regular repairs and upkeep, this expensive and vital equipment will break and need to be replaced.

“We don’t have the money to buy fixes that will save money,” Chief LaPorte said.

Highway Superintendent Bud Chase spoke after the Fire Chief, stating that a flat five percent cut would yield $14,611 back to the town with the resulting reduction affecting all aspects of the department’s operations, including the elimination of several positions.

“It’s possible we may have to layoff three people or eliminate three positions,” Mr. Chase stated.

Currently, the Highway Department operates with a six-person crew. Halving the amount of employees will result in fewer repairs to infrastructure and affect their ability to patch potholes and finish the resurfacing of streets with Chapter 90 money this summer.

“Our infrastructure in town is failing,” Mr. Chase stated.

The cuts would also affect the amount of fuel available for the town’s fleet and the department’s capacity to keep their aging vehicles on the road.

Richard Triflo, Chairman of the Board of Health, came before residents next, saying that his department has trimmed $22,000 from their budget over the past several years and was down to “bare bones” already with little room left to cut.

“We’ve been cutting and cutting and cutting over the years and we were up against the wall when the board asked for these cuts,” Mr. Triflo said.

With little to spare, cutbacks would come from the department’s expense account, which funds the various certifications employees need to work in the office and from a reduction in the board’s regional hazardous materials collection. The board currently partners with the city of Gardner twice a year to collect and dispose of potentially toxic materials, such as paint, batteries, and chemicals. This keeps these materials from being dumped on the side of the road and polluting the environment.

“Dumping a hazardous waste product anywhere in this town – it will eventually end up in your water,” explained Mr. Triflo. Cutting the HAZMAT collection account could reduce collections to once every two years, increasing the likelihood of improper disposal, he added.

Bethany Loveless, Director of the town’s Council on Aging was up last, explaining that the council will be returning back $13,000 to the municipality through various measures, including the elimination of a social service position. Additionally, further cuts will force the council to reduce the already limited number of days the food pantry is open, as well as the number of days available for Meals on Wheels deliveries. Without the social service and outreach positions, Ms. Loveless said the council can no longer collaborate with the police and fire departments when dealing with seniors and they will not be able to perform wellness checks or friendly visits. The council will also not have enough staff to operate the new senior center for 40 hours a week after it opens.

Cuts to the Highway Department’s fuel and maintenance budget will also affect the Council on Aging, who employ several shuttles for senior transportation.

“When one department is impacted, it overflows to other departments,” Ms. Loveless commented.

Further information provided by the Town Clerk’s office but not presented at the Town Hall forum revealed that a five percent cut would come from the Assistant Town Clerk’s salary, causing her to resign and seek employment elsewhere.

At the upcoming special town meeting, voters will be asked to choose between an override, the appropriation of free cash, budget cuts, or a combination to close the shortfall.

With a two-thirds vote, the town can also drain the general stabilization fund, which as of the last Board of Selectmen meeting contains about $111,000.

The special town meeting will be held Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in the Narragansett Regional Middle School.