Town Moving Forward With Efforts To Close Budget Gap

On Monday, most town offices were closed so that municipal workers could attend a meeting to discuss possible concessions on health insurance costs to help the town close a $1.5 million deficit.

"It was a very useful meeting," said Town Administrator William Gustus later that night at the selectmen's meeting, "We made the point that this requires the cooperation of all stakeholders in town government."

Gustus went on to report that union members had voted to bargain in good faith "to make changes necessary in their health plan to avoid layoffs." However, the proposed health insurance savings would only amount to about half of the town budget deficit, meaning that officials are also depending on several proposed new revenue sources to pass at the April 25 town meeting.

In past weeks, town officials have warned that up to 57 employees could be laid off if the town does not manage to close its budget deficit at town meeting. If "pay as you throw" trash disposal, school bus fees and a local meals tax are not approved at town meeting, the employee health insurance concessions will also be at great risk.

"There is a realization on everybody's part that this has to be a shared sacrifice to be where we need to be," said Gustus, who went on to note that a specific  plan on health insurance costs needs to be in place by June 1 because of issues involving open enrollment and other things.

The selectmen praised the town workers for their willingness to work together on the budget problem, while select chair Al Merritt noted that Gustus had been working with the town unions since February, when the unexpectedly large insurance  hike was first revealed.

Selectmen Approve Warrant Article Recommendations

Later in the meeting, the selectmen went through the 18 warrants to be considered at town hall and voted to approve all of them – unanimously in all but one case. For Article 9, the pay as you throw proposal, selectman Arthur Bourque voted against recommendation, while Bob MacKendrick expressed half-hearted support for the idea.

Select chair Al Merritt said that he had also opposed pay as you throw before the health insurance hike, but cited added benefits like recycling and a modest cost for the program. He added that 132 Massachusetts towns are now using pay as you throw models.

"Once we abandon (current trash collection services) we're never going to go back," said Bourque. "This is one of those services that I think the average taxpayer expects."

That particular plan would raise revenue and encourage recycling by requiring town residents to purchase specific trash bags for municipal pickup.

In Other Business

Also Monday night, the selectmen approved the use of the town common and South Common Street for the annual Geraniumfest event on May 14.

Selectmen also approved the use of the South Lynnfield Post Office parking lot for a car wash fundraiser on May 15 from noon-4 p.m. by the LHS boys lacrosse team.

They also approved a one-day liquor license for a first communion celebration at the Knights of Columbus Hall in early May.