Nahant considers spending freeze to rein budget woes

NAHANT-As communities across the state brace for cuts in local aid, the town of Nahant is looking at implementing a spending freeze as early as this week.Nahant Town Administrator Mark Cullinan said, if implemented, the spending freeze would ban overtime in all departments with the exception of any overtime needed for snow and ice removal.?We can’t stop removing snow and ice,” he said. “But a spending freeze would mean no overtime other than snow and ice removal. It might mean not covering shifts in some departments but we just have to do the best we can. I am hoping a spending freeze will help us avoid layoffs.”Cullinan said he would be meeting with Town Accountant Debra Waters on Tuesday to discuss whether the freeze should be implemented immediately.?A spending freeze would include freezing all discretionary spending,” he said. “That includes supplies and other items as well as overtime.”Cullinan said the town is preparing itself for cuts in local aid for the current fiscal year but those cuts are only part of the problem.?Revenues are down,” he said. “The revenues are just not coming in. People are not buying cars and are making less home repairs due to the economy, so we’re seeing a decrease in motor vehicle excise taxes and building permits.”Fire Lt. Edward Hyde said the department has two permanent firefighters on each shift and a hiring freeze would have an impact because at times overtime is necessary to meet minimum staffing levels.?It’s going to affect all departments and we’re not exempt,” he said. “We’re already stretched to the limit but it’ll be tough covering all shifts without overtime for a prolonged period of time.”Police Lt. Thomas Hutton said Chief William F. Waters placed a freeze on overtime a couple of months ago.?He’ll redeploy officers to different shifts rather than spend money for overtime,” he said. “He has made it abundantly clear he doesn’t like redeploying officers but you have to do what you have to do. There is no frivolous spending in Nahant. If an officer calls in sick today and we’re at minimum staffing we’d have to use overtime. We have to think about the safety of the officers and the town. Pre-planned vacations are covered by redeployment as the budget dictates.”