Swampscott looking at town, school layoffs

SWAMPSCOTT – The town is bracing itself for Gov. Deval Patrick’s FY’10 budget, which is expected to be released today.In preparation for possible layoffs, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Town Administrator Andrew Maylor as the hearings officer for any civil service layoffs.Maylor explained a civil service hearing is required to lay off any police and fire employees, so by appointing a hearing officer now the town would be ready to proceed if layoffs are needed.Maylor said he expects the town could receive an 8 to 10 percent reduction in state aid so he expects the town and school department would need to make “substantial cuts” to balance the FY’10 budget. He said the town is looking at layoffs, which could come during this fiscal year due to possible mid-year budget cuts.Maylor said he spoke with Superintendent Matthew Malone who indicated he would try to absorb any cuts for the current fiscal year by reducing expenses instead of laying off teachers. But Maylor went on to say layoffs could be a reality for the schools and town in FY’10.He went on to explain contractual pay increases in the school district are $640,000 for the upcoming fiscal year and it has an additional $200,000 in step increases for teachers for FY’10.”Even with an additional $500,000 in funding,” he said, “the school will be substantially below what is required to sustain staff.”Maylor said the town side is looking at $500,000 in cuts, which he said is substantial. He said he is exploring the possibility of closing the senior center and library one day a week to save money.