|Debra Smith, NGX|
The budget committee met Monday night with the interim town manager, budget advisor and select board members to review proposed additional cuts to the FY 21 budget. Under the dark cloud of declining revenue projections due to the pandemic, they addressed the items identified by town manager Paul First and budget advisor Steve Libby, and attempted to negotiate the gaps between the committee’s and the board’s recommendations. Libby and First explained that they had approached proposed cuts based on what they considered to be essential services. The committee and board had been far apart on some items at an earlier point, particularly in the committee’s proposed changes to Fire & Rescue. But through discussion, the board and committee ended up close to agreement on the cuts of an additional $225,000— though not with enthusiasm, to be sure.
The discussion led off with questions from Joe Bean about the projection of a $300,000 loss of revenue from excise tax payments. Many people register online now, Libby explained, it’s hard to pin down. His assumption is that people won’t be registering new cars. Bean also questioned the school budget projection of $6.2 million, which will be adjusted based on the final numbers and the budget vote in July. Peter Bragdon, budget committee chair, noted that the school district’s target for New Gloucester’s share is significantly lower than $6.2 million. (Note: NGX has learned that the school board this week approved a proposed budget that would leave New Gloucester’s share comparable to or less than the current year’s figure of $5.82 million.) State revenue sharing should be about $320,000, the same as last year and not go up, as previously expected.
On the chopping block were several positions: a public works employee, the parks & recreation director, and assistant librarian; and reducing the town planner to half time. Hours for the code enforcement officer had been reduced in the last round. Committee members agonized over these cuts. Jeff Hamilton lamented that he didn’t want to cut services; perhaps paving could be moved forward a year instead and funds from capital reserves could be used. First argued that paving has been underfunded for years and that delaying it would mean higher costs later. Libby reiterated the focus on essential vs non-essential services. He noted that “the town would still be providing some services. Things will be open but services will change.”
Bragdon alerted the group to the comp plan survey in which residents said loud and clear that they want “recreation, recreation, recreation.” The director position had just been increased to full time at the last town meeting and much has been done over the year since. Continuing to offer several of the most popular recreation programs, and supporting Halloween activities remained in the budget, to be run by volunteers, while the director position was cut in a 4 to 2 vote. “We don’t know if any programs can be done,” said Jean Libby.
Residents had also expressed their support for the library through many letters and testimony to the budget committee and board. But the assistant librarian also was out on a 4-2 vote, with the plan being for the director working 40 hours and the library open for 30. Jen Bragdon expressed concerns about the safety of having only one staff member in the building. And what about when she’s sick or on vacation? Other questions and creative ideas were offered. Could the assistant librarian do other things, perhaps support recreation programs? Can volunteers fill in?
Addressing other gaps in the proposed figures of the committee and board, several items were much easier to deal with: eliminating a battery-powered extrication tool for NGFR, eliminating a stipend increase for members of the Board of Selectmen; and approving paving at the board-recommended amount, and transfer station costs passed unanimously.
Changes to NGFR services and staffing proposed by the budget committee was the biggest gap between the board and committee’s recommendations: $195,484. First offered his view, based on discussions with many people about the proposed changes to eliminate emergency transport and cut staffing to one per diem per shift, that it was unrealistic to make such a big change without a plan for voters to consider. They had just voted last year for 24/7 coverage. With the professionalization of the department, many long-time on-call members had left the department and were unlikely to return given the threat of Covid-19. The committee had put forward their proposed cut “to generate conversation.” Peter Bragdon explained that he’d like public input on this. “This is the driving force for our budget.” In the end, the committee voted unanimously to accept the board’s recommended figure of $645,484. “Covid has changed my thinking,” said Penny Hilton.
Next steps: Sharlene Myers was to prepare a final version of the figures prior to the budget hearing, which will take place on Tuesday May 12th at 6:30 PM via Zoom. (The revised budget is on the town’s website now.)
Public comment is invited through letters (email to Sharlene Myers at smyers@newgloucester.com to be included in budget hearing packets for the board and committee), and personal statements (3 min. max) during the hearing. Those interested in attending must email Sharlene Myers to request log in credentials. The budget committee will convene immediately following the hearing to finalize their recommended figures for the town meeting warrant. (Town meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 15.)
