Swampscott braces for FY’10 budget troubles

SWAMPSCOTT – Only a handful of people attended the Fiscal Year 2010 budget presentation that was held Monday evening.The presentation was given at a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and School Committee.Board of Selectmen Chairman Anthony Scibelli said the FY’10 budget process is going to be a very difficult one and it is important to start public dialogue as early as possible.”We’re faced with a challenging budget cycle,” he said. “It won’t be painless.”Town Administrator Andrew Maylor explained he prepared three different scenarios – one that is “somewhat pessimistic,” a realistic scenario and one that is a slightly optimistic.The FY’09 budget is almost $48.5 million and it is expected to cost more than $50 million to maintain the current level of services next year.”If things turn out really well,” Maylor said. “We are not even close to level services.”Scibelli asked if the town adopts the GIC prior to the Oct. 1 deadline how it would affect the budget and Maylor said it would save the town approximately $700,000 in FY ’10.School Business Manager/Budget Director Ed Cronin said using Maylor’s realistic estimates the schools are facing a $1.09 million deficit for FY’10, which begins July 1, 2009.Maylor pointed out the district is paying more for vocational school assessments. He said at the same time some students have left the district for charter and private schools, which has had a negative effect on the budget and fewer students from Nahant are attending Swampscott High School.Superintendent Matthew Malone was quick to point out the $1.09 million projected deficit is based only on maintaining the current level of services and does not allow the district to hire back any teachers laid off last year.”Where we are right now is not where I was (the district) to be as Superintendent,” he said.Former School Committee member Mary DeChillo spoke about the importance of not pitting the school department against other town departments and the need for cooperation.