Saugus finance board reviews revised budget

SAUGUS – The Saugus Finance Committee went over a revised budget for 2013-2014, but did not take any votes Wednesday night.The revised budget includes more than $627,000 in increases from the original budget that was put forth in February.While Town Hall?s first floor conference room was packed with various town employees, Chairman Robert Palleschi let them know before the meeting that there would be no votes.?There has been an updated budget and we want to go over those,” he said. “You?re welcome to stay, or welcome to leave and come back when we do vote.”The committee discussed some of the pay increases in the budget with Town Manager Scott Crabtree. These increases include contractual and non-contractual pay raises along with new positions with higher pay.?We?ve tried to get everyone in a certain range so there?s no morale or animosity issues ?” said Crabtree.Palleschi noted that non-union employees haven?t had “the rate of growth that keeps them competitive in the market,” while Crabtree said many union and non-union employees haven?t seen a 1 percent increase in nine years.?We can no longer budget our operating budget on the backs of our employees not receiving any increases,” said Crabtree. “What the increases are ? is something I think is affordable and sustainable by the town.”Crabtree said salaries have to be a priority.Some of the largest increases in the revised budget over the previous budget include $316,000 for the Police Department, $158,000 for the Fire Department, $38,000 for dispatchers, $27,000 for the treasurer?s department and $12,000 for building maintenance construction.The committee also passed on voting for article 13, which seeks to enact rent control for the town?s mobile home parks.Palleschi said he would like to pass on articles that don?t impact finances other than fines.Crabtree also said he will be meeting with the School Department next week to discuss its Town Meeting articles.Town Meeting will convene for its second session on Monday at 7:30 p.m. and will again be without a town budget on which to vote.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].