| Joanne Cole, NGX |
Advocates for the library might now see a glass half-full following the budget committee’s public hearing on Tuesday night. The committee voted to restore an assistant librarian position that they, like the select board, had previously recommended eliminating. However, the committee also proposed reducing the assistant’s hours from the current 36 hours per week to 24 and the library director’s hours from 40 to 36, a decision described by budget committee members as a compromise.
Offsetting the increase for the library, estimated at $14,000, was the committee’s decision to take $20,000 off a proposed capital expenditure of $60,000 for a new public works utility truck. The committee made no other budget adjustments, letting stand elimination of parks and recreation and cuts to planning.
With the changes, the committee’s final budget is roughly $9000 lower than the select board’s current draft budget, which has $4,356,628 for the town-only portion, according to May 6 budget documents posted online. Both FY21 budgets are some $600,000 less than this year’s $4,970,350.
Rounding out the picture, New Gloucester’s share of the FY21 MSAD 15 budget is essentially flat, with no increase in tax impact over last year, and the town’s Cumberland County assessment is up 2.7 percent, roughly $11,000 more than this year. The school and county budgets came in some $525,000 lower than estimated.
But at the May 12 public hearing and meeting, it was the library that was the focus. Proposed cuts to the library budget had drawn swift and steady public opposition, from the moment the select board first proposed them. Many of the more than 75 letters submitted in advance of the public hearing [available here], as well as in ‘in-person’ comments that evening via Zoom, expressed support for the the library, its personnel and programming. Residents also objected to the library being staffed solely by the library director and repeatedly raised the need for a second staff member for safety, as well as to maintain library open hours, programs, and activities.
When it was the committee’s turn, members acknowledged the public’s input. Jeff Hamilton said, “People want the library,” especially young families. “We’re going to need that second person.” He proposed 36 hours a week each for the library director and an assistant librarian, with funds coming from paving. Chair Peter Bragdon proposed reducing the assistant’s hours to 24 per week, to save approximately $26,000 more in benefits and wages than under 36 and 36. Following discussion, the committee unanimously approved the ‘36 and 24’ hours recommendation. The impact on safety, programming, and hours at those levels was not immediately clear.
As for parks and recreation, speakers and letter-writers championed its broad and inclusive social and community programming. Sarah Rodriguez, familiar with Gray and New Gloucester’s rec programs, described New Gloucester’s new and expanded activities and its collaborations with neighboring departments. She pointed to the rec program’s response to the pandemic, including food drives, activities and crafts at home, and helping residents access resources. “Residents need access to programming now more than ever,” Rodriguez said, urging the committee to maintain a full-time parks and rec director position.
In the end, the committee let stand its prior recommendation to eliminate the parks and rec director position and department. Uncertainty about social distancing and the virus’s timeline appeared to be key concerns. The committee’s budget will include money to support a select board plan intended to continue several popular pay-to-play activities.
In other action, the committee reduced capital funding for a new public works utility truck from $60,000 to $40,000, following animated in-depth discussion of the market for used pick-ups. The committee did not address, and so let stand, its other, earlier recommendations to eliminate a public works crew position and reduce the town planner position to half-time. Along with parks and rec, these were among cuts initially proposed to address an estimated $300,000 drop in excise revenues that budget advisor Steven Libby predicted would result from the virus outbreak. Questions from residents about revenue projections and comments about the fire/rescue budget were not discussed by the committee.
In making its decisions, the committee left untouched a $290,000 paving request, for portions of Cobbs Bridge Road and North Pownal Road. Along with member Jeff Hamilton, several residents had urged reducing or postponing paving in order to preserve jobs and programs. The pro-paving view, offered by Steve Libby on this occasion and previously, noted a backlog of paving projects, as the select board and town have deferred paving projects year after year. The budget committee apparently agreed that this time the paving request is essential and urgent. The FY21 $290,000 paving line they approved represents an increase of $25,000 over the paving allocation for this year.
As ever at New Gloucester public meetings, residents’ comments provided color as well as light. Said Phil Vampatella, “I drive by that Taj Mahal complex that you have for the fire department and town crew. I don’t see how you can look anybody in the eye after spending the money that has been spent on that complex and then cut the library.” Carl Wilcox noted the irony of laying off highway personnel in order to pay for paving. He urged the committee to “keep our staff” and put off paving for a year.
One of the rare speakers or letter-writers to support cuts, Don Libby, called cuts to the library and recreation “heart-wrenching,” but said now is the time to “’turtle up’ and withdraw in for essential services.” With high unemployment and reduced tourism, state revenues will be going “absolutely through the floor,” Libby said. Not to ‘turtle up’ now “would be irresponsible,” he said.
Emily Terranova, a 2019 GNG graduate, cited repeated calls for “shared sacrifice” and “equity across departments” throughout budget discussions. She said that three large departments—at $762,000, $638,000, and $323,000—will see increases and one a modest reduction of $23,000, while “three small departments”—presumably the library and parks and recreation among them—are being hit with $170,000 in cuts. “Where is the equity?” she asked. Terranova closed her remarks: “I will see you at the town meeting.”
Another young citizen, Cecilia Keddy, age 17, began speaking but was cut off mid-sentence by an apologetic Bragdon because she had already submitted a letter. Bragdon was following through on an announcement he read at the outset, that anyone who had submitted a letter “will not be allowed to speak,” adding he would consider “possibly at the end of the hearing, depending on the time and if it’s new content.” A letter was “in lieu of speaking tonight,” Bragdon said, a restriction not communicated to residents in advance. Resident Kathleen Potter objected: People who spoke at previous meetings are allowed to speak again, but letter-writers are not? “That doesn’t show a lot of equity,” she said.
The budget committee’s recommendations now go to the select board. They may choose to present some, all, or none as separate articles on the June 15 town meeting warrant–if town meeting can even be held. Guidance from Augusta may come soon. Meanwhile, a first review of the warrant is on the select board’s May 18 agenda.
