September 18, 2007
A Special Town Meeting is called for Saturday October 6 at 2pm at the new B-R Regional High School. This will be a two Article meeting. All told, increased revenue of $1,094,434 will be recognized: about $801k from several sources ($485k Roberts Road property sale, $50k gift from Bridgewater State College, $90k from acct#910 - Insurance, $31k from acct#179 - Stormwater, $161k out of the Ambulance Receivables Reserve account and other adjustments) and $293k estimated Free Cash.
While I have not yet seen the final Article wording, from the limited explanation (full wording of Articles not read at the meeting) provided it seems the first Article will address the $801k allocation, and the second Article will commit the $293k from Free Cash.
If we take a look at the presentation made previously by the Selectmen in regards to what would happen should the override fail {click here for the one-page summary of cuts} this details the $1,495,164 in planned reductions. So, now the Selectmen are recognizing $1,094,434 in revenue available for allocation. Therefore, there is a current inbalance in income to expenses of $400,700. This results in the recommended shutdown of the Council of Aging, Recreation and Library.
The Articles moved forward from the Selectmen by a 3-2 vote (Herb, Stan, Mark YES / Dennis, Chris NO)
In an effort to look for ways to save some expenses, the Board of Selectmen will be looking to possibly relocate to available space in the Academy Building.
In his comments, Mark Oliari once again stated his desire to move forward with the deregionalization process so Bridgewater can control its own destiny. >> Bridgewater did state its desires for the schools when by majority vote on July 30th the Town voted to accepts the recommendation of the School Committee.
In Herb Lemon's comments, he mentioned the possibility of instructing department heads of a future hiring freeze. >> "Isn't this a no-brainer?" With the Town on the verge of shutting down a couple of departments and functions, why would there not be a directive to freeze future hirings?
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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