Saugus groups have eyes on nonexistent prize

SAUGUS – With the thought that the financial problems of the Kasabuski Rink might be over, various groups are now focusing on the cash that might be left behind.However, Town Manager Andrew Bisignani said it’s all wishful thinking.If the town closes the deal with the current bidder to sublet Kasabuski arena, Bisignani said the town will only receive $150,000 up front. The original bidder offered $725,000 up front, but that deal fell through when contract negotiations with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which owns the rink, fell apart.With such a small amount offered up front, Bisignani said the town will still have to raise somewhere between $700,000 and $800,000 in operating deficits for this and prior years.The Department of Revenue has made it clear, Bisignani said, that the operating deficit from this year and prior years must be paid off in full or he won’t be allowed to set the tax rate.Bisignani said he has the money through a surplus with the Group Insurance Commission and it’s already in the budget.So while the other departments won’t suffer a loss, Bisignani said, “There will be no flood on money,” which will be sad news for some groups that were already eyeing the potential windfall.The School Committee decided last week it should put together a list of needs on the off chance any monies should be freed up.Committee member Christine Wilson noted that the School Department turned back $268,000 in unused funds realized due to changes in Special Education. She said the money was turned back largely because Town Meeting had voted to bond $300,000 for textbooks.”However, if additional money is available we should put a list together and go after it,” she said.Superintendent Richard Langlois said he had already asked his principals how they could best spend an influx on one-time monies should any become available.Bisignani said despite the fact there will be no windfall from Kasabuski, it didn’t hurt that the School Department was planning ahead.”There may be free cash but that’s a one-time revenue,” he said. “That’s good if they’re talking one-time expenses because that could be referred to Town Meeting if it decides to appropriate the free cash.”No free cash has been certified yet and it must be certified by the state before it becomes available.While at least one Town Meeting member also mentioned he was surprised by the $1 million left in its levy capacity, Bisignani said people can also forget about that too.He said when he told the Finance Committee last month he had the $1 million in reserve he made it clear he left it there on purpose to pay off the $944,000 tuition bill for the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School.