Finances getting special attention in Marblehead

MARBLEHEAD-Town Administrator Tony Sasso and Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac are keeping a special eye on town finances in the wake of Gov. Deval Patrick’s announced budget cuts last week."We know there will be some reduction in revenue but we don’t know the specifics," Sasso said."When we have the specifics we’ll make adjustments and solve the problem." The Fiscal 2009 town budget was based on the anticipation that state aid would continue at the same level as Fiscal 2008. Patrick has so far maintained state aid at its anticipated level.State grants may be a different story, and Sasso is waiting to see what effect cutbacks may have on grant programs.He said until the specifics are known both the town and schools would keep spending "in check" and they aren’t starting any new programs.School Committee Chairman Amy Drinker announced Thursday evening that Dulac is working with school administrators to monitor the potential effect of any state budget cutbacks and plans to report on the town’s situation next month."It’s a serious situation," she said, "but Marblehead doesn’t get as much state aid as other communities."