Saugus board to mull proposed budget

SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen today is slated to mull balanced and unbalanced versions of the proposed fiscal 2012 town budget and decide whether to recommend either to the Finance Committee.The tentative unbalanced $76 million budget contains an approximately $850,000 deficit on the municipal side, which includes the cost of this winter’s snow and ice removal, and another approximately $1,063,000 shortage in the School Department.”That is the minimum amount of money they need to maintain the current level of services,” Town Manager Andrew Bisignani said Monday.The balanced budget version under discussion reflects cuts that would be implemented to reach that level, he said.”There’s a shortfall, so the big question is where to get the additional revenue,” said Town Counsel John Vasapolli. “It could come from a trash fee or a (Proposition 2?) override. There are all kinds of possibilities.”Vasapolli said options include making budget cuts and laying off town employees.The budget process encompasses discussion by the town manager, who makes recommendations to the Board of Selectmen. The board then presents its recommendations to the Finance Committee, which ultimately delivers its findings to Town Meeting, the town’s appropriating authority.Town Meeting typically begins mulling the issues in April.Board of Selectmen Chairman Donald Wong said Monday he planned to discuss the budget with Bisignani before the full Board of Selectmen meets today. “It’s a sit down to see if we can agree on certain things,” he said.Wong said the budget shortfall presents a challenge. “I want to prevent any layoffs if I can,” he said Monday. “There are certain services in town that are essential ? the schools, police, fire and the public works. We want to keep all of these intact and, at the same time, avoid any layoffs.”According to Bisignani, among the four major budget-balancing options is deferring contractual salary increases in the School Department.Fire Chief James Blanchard expressed concern the budget shortfall might force the closure of the Fire Department’s Essex Street station.The selectmen are also scheduled to conduct a public hearing on amending the town’s traffic rules and regulations by designating the east side of Down Street and Adams Court as no-parking areas, while removing the no-parking restriction from the west side of those two streets.