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} <br /> 4 <br /> Bard of Selectmen <br /> Minutes <br /> February 3, 2003 <br /> _ y <br /> APPOINTMENTS AND HEARINGS: <br /> Joint Meetin —Finance Committee: <br /> With regards to the use of stabilization funds to offset the budget, it was <br /> suggested that $600,000 be appropriated from stabilization to offset <br /> revenue that would be returned to the Town. <br /> Discussion followed with respect to non-essential or significant Town <br /> services that could potentially be reduced or combined into one operation. <br /> The review of assistant titled positions was also taken under consideration. <br /> If the Selectmen were to consider layoffs, additional costs associated to <br /> unemployment benefits, and related health benefit coverage would also <br /> need to be factored into the budget. <br /> The potential reduction of staffrng and not fillffig new positions was <br /> considered. It was noted that department heads presently justify the <br /> position vacancy requests to the Selectmen Prior to advertisement. <br /> Discussion followed with respect to the School Department and reducing <br /> some of the full-time employee's to part?ti a status. A budget less than <br /> 2.5% for the School Department was also suggested. It was noted that the <br /> School has lost grant funding, an estimated $1,200,000 in fiscal year 2004 <br /> and many of the grant funded positions for special needs and special <br /> contracts are mandated. <br /> Where was an agreement that it would be prudent to timely look towards <br /> the future to develop a probable plan for a reduction in staffing, revisit the <br /> manning of shifts, restructuring the organizational flow of departments i <br />