Category Archives: Budgets

MMA on road $

Posted on March 13, 2015 | Comments Off on MMA on road $

March 12, 2015

GOV. BAKER FILES $200M CHAPTER 90 BOND BILL
Combined with the $100M Released in January, this 1-Year Bill Would Provide Cities and Towns with a Total of $300M in Chapter 90 Funds for the 2015 Construction Season

Earlier this afternoon, Gov. Charlie Baker filed a one-year $200 million Chapter 90 bond bill for fiscal 2016, and asked legislators to approve the bill quickly so that cities and towns will have access to the money at the start of the construction season.

If the bond bill passes in the next several weeks, combined with the $100 million in new Chapter 90 authorizations the Governor released in January, cities and towns will have access to a total of $300 million to repair and maintain local roads during the 2015 spring-to-fall construction season.

With the state working to erase a $1 billion mid-year budget deficit in fiscal 2015, and a $1.8 billion structural budget gap for fiscal 2016, the Baker-Polito Administration decided to file a one-year Chapter 90 bond bill. Swift passage of the bond bill will ensure that cities and towns can access a total of $300 million in new Chapter 90 funds without delaying the start of the construction season.

The Chapter 90 program provides cities and towns with vital funding to maintain, repair and rebuild 30,000 miles of local roads in every corner of the state. Adequate and timely funding is essential for the growth of our economy and to ensure safe and passable roadways for residents, businesses and visitors.

Immediately after passage of this one-year bond bill, the MMA and local officials will work in partnership with the Administration and legislators to achieve long-range progress and funding for Chapter 90 that is both adequate for cities and towns and sustainable for the Commonwealth.

SWIFT ACTION ON CHAPTER 90 IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT COSTLY AND UNNECESSARY DELAYS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SEASON

PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS TODAY AND ASK THEM TO ENACT THE $200 MILLION CHAPTER 90 BOND BILL BY APRIL 1 AT THE LATEST

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Posted in Budgets, DPW, Massachusetts Municipal Association, State

Medfield #’s in Gov’s budget

Posted on March 4, 2015 | Comments Off on Medfield #’s in Gov’s budget

DOR’s DLS has published the proposed budget #’s under the Governor’s budget proposal.  These are the Medfield numbers.  In recent past years, the House and Senate had ultimately given towns even more than Gov. Patrick’s budgets. –

FY2016 Local Aid Estimates
Medfield
FY2015 Cherry Sheet Estimate
FY2016 Governor’s Budget Proposal
FY2016 House Budget Proposal
FY2016 Senate Budget Proposal
FY2016 Conference Committee
Education:
Chapter 70
5,862,409
5,913,169
School Transportation
0
0
Charter Tuition Reimbursement
12,129
998
Smart Growth School Reimbursement
0
0
Offset Receipts:
School Choice Receiving Tuition
0
0
Sub-total, All Education Items:
5,874,538
5,914,167
General Government:
Unrestricted Gen Gov’t Aid
1,289,875
1,336,310
Local Sh of Racing Taxes
0
0
Regional Public Libraries
0
0
Urban Revitalization
0
0
Veterans Benefits
18,649
21,430
State Owned Land
28,261
28,261
Exemp: VBS and Elderly
27,101
28,947
Offset Receipts:
Public Libraries
16,742
16,096
Sub-Total, All General Government
1,380,628
1,431,044
Total Estimated Receipts
7,255,166
7,345,211
Although the School Lunch program is funded in both the FY2015 final budget and the FY2016 Governor’s budget proposal, we have removed the estimate from the cherry sheet as this program is an education offset that has no impact on the tax rate setting process.

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Posted in Budgets, State

Gov’s budget

Posted on March 4, 2015 | Comments Off on Gov’s budget

This alert from the Mass Municipal Assoc. this afternoon.  The Governor seems to be doing what the MMA has long been requesting, to tie municipal state aid to towns to increases in state revenues, so that towns are in more of a “revenue sharing” model with the state, than a hat in hand, beholden model –

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

GOV. BAKER FILES $38.1 BILLION FISCAL 2016 BUDGET PROPOSAL
• UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID WOULD INCREASE BY $34 MILLION (3.6%)
• CHAPTER 70 AID WOULD INCREASE BY $105.3 MILLION (2.4%)
• MOST OTHER MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL ACCOUNTS LEVEL-FUNDED

Earlier this afternoon, Gov. Charlie Baker submitted a $38.1 billion fiscal 2016 state budget plan with the Legislature, proposing a spending blueprint that would increase overall state expenditures by 3 percent, as the new Administration seeks to close a projected $1.5 billion structural budget deficit by restraining spending, eliminating 4,500 state jobs through an early retirement program, increasing state employee contributions to health insurance, and offering a tax amnesty plan.

The Governor’s budget includes a $34 million increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid, and a $105.3 million boost to Chapter 70 school aid.

Most other municipal and education aid accounts in the Governor’s budget proposal would remain at post-9C fiscal 2015 levels.  This includes the special education circuit breaker, charter school reimbursements, payments-in-lieu of taxes, regional school transportation, Shannon anti-gang grants, and library aid.

The Governor would increase McKinney-Vento reimbursements by $1 million, and fund METCO at the original fiscal 2015 level, restoring the mid-year 9C cuts.

• Click here to see the UGGA and Chapter 70 Aid amounts listed by community in the Governor’s budget:
http://www.mass.gov/bb/h1/fy16h1/os_16/h3.htm

• Click here to see the Division of Local Services preliminary fiscal 2016 Cherry Sheet aid amounts for your community, based on the Governor’s proposed budget:
http://www.mass.gov/dor/local-officials/municipal-data-and-financial-management/cherry-sheets/2016-cherry-shets/

• Click here to see DESE’s calculation of fiscal 2016 Chapter 70 aid for your city, town, or regional school district, based on the Governor’s proposed budget:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/finance/chapter70/

UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID
In a major victory for cities and towns, House One (the Governor’s fiscal 2016 budget submission) would provide $979.8 million for UGGA, a $34 million increase over current funding.  This fulfills one of Gov. Baker’s major campaign promises to increase direct municipal aid in fiscal 2016 by at least 75 percent of the growth rate in state tax revenues, with a target of reaching 100 percent in future years.

The $34 million would increase UGGA funding by 3.6 percent, which is 75 percent of the projected 4.8 percent increase in state tax collections next year.  This would be the largest increase in discretionary municipal aid in nearly a decade.  Every city and town would see their UGGA funding increase by 3.6 percent.

CHAPTER 70 SCHOOL AID
The Governor’s budget submission also proposes a 2.4 percent increase in Chapter 70 education aid of $105.3 million, with a provision providing every city, town and school district an increase of at least $20 per student.  House One would continue to implement the target share provisions enacted in 2007.  This Chapter 70 increase would be similar to growth levels in recent years.  Because most cities and towns only receive minimum aid (203 operating districts in cities, towns and regions would only receive minimum aid under House One), the MMA has urged the Governor and Legislature to agree on a budget that provides minimum aid of at least $100 per student, and will continue to advocate for higher funding.

House One contains language that would continue to allow communities to count retiree health insurance toward their net school spending, but only if they have done so beginning when the school finance law first went into effect in 1994, or if they have already voted to adopt last year’s local-option provision in section 260 of the fiscal year 2015 general appropriations act to allow a phase-in of retiree health insurance costs in their net school spending calculation.

SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT BREAKER UNDERFUNDED
The Governor’s budget would level-fund the Special Education Circuit Breaker program at $253.4 million.  Because special education costs are expected to rise in fiscal 2016, this means that the Governor’s budget likely underfunds reimbursements by at least several million dollars.  This is a vital account that every city, town and school district relies on to fund state-mandated services.  The Legislature has fully fund the program for the past three years, and the MMA will again be asking lawmakers to ensure full funding in fiscal 2016.

CHARTER SCHOOL REIMBURSEMENTS UNDERFUNDED
Under state law, cities and towns that host or send students to charter schools are entitled to be reimbursed for a portion of their lost Chapter 70 aid.  The state fully funded the reimbursement program in fiscal 2013 and 2014, but is underfunding reimbursements by approximately $36 million this year.  The Governor’s budget would level-fund charter school reimbursements at $76.8 million, which would guarantee another major shortfall in fiscal 2016, and result in cutbacks for the majority of students who remain in the traditional school setting.

REGIONAL SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENTS LEVEL FUNDED
Last November, former Gov. Patrick used his 9C budget powers to eliminate the $18.7 million increase regional school transportation reimbursements that the Legislature originally enacted for fiscal 2015, reducing the final amount to $51.5 million.  Gov. Baker’s budget submission would level-fund regional transportation reimbursements at the $51.5 million amount.  This will be a hardship for virtually all communities in regional districts.

McKINNEY-VENTO REIMBURSEMENTS WOULD INCREASE BY $1 MILLION
The Governor’s budget would add $1 million to increase reimbursements for the transportation of homeless students to $8.4 million.  While the account remains below the full reimbursement called for under the state’s unfunded mandate law, it would be the first increase since fiscal 2013.  Separately, the Governor has proposed a new reserve fund and action plan to decrease the placement of homeless families in hotels and motels, which would reduce the cost of the mandate on cities and towns, over time.

METCO FUNDING WOULD BE RESTORED TO ORIGINAL FISCAL 2015 LEVELS
The Governor’s fiscal 2016 budget would increase funding for the METCO program by $1.2 million, returning it to the $19.1 million level passed in the original fiscal 2015 budget.  The $1.2 million reduction in fiscal 2015 came from 9C cuts in November and February.

PAYMENTS-IN-LIEU-OF-TAXES (PILOT), SHANNON GRANTS, LIBRARY AID ACCOUNTS ALL LEVEL FUNDED
The Governor’s budget would level fund PILOT payments at $26.77 million, Shannon anti-gang grants at $7 million, and continue to fund library grant programs at $18.5 million.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY AND CALL ON THEM TO PUBLICLY SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSAL TO INCREASE UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID BY $34 MILLION – THIS INCREASE IS VITAL TO LOCAL BUDGETS IN EVERY CORNER OF MASSACHUSETT

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Posted in Budgets, State

BAKER PLANS $105 MILLION INCREASE IN SCHOOL AID

Posted on March 3, 2015 | Comments Off on BAKER PLANS $105 MILLION INCREASE IN SCHOOL AID

John Nunnari regularly emails town officials news from the legislature, and this story by the State House News Service is a preview of a fairly rosy municipal and school aid proposal in the budget for next year –

 

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MARCH 3, 2015….State aid for public schools would rise by 2.4 percent next fiscal year and unrestricted local aid would increase by 3.6 percent in Gov. Charlie Baker’s budget proposal, which is set to be fully released on Wednesday.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said the increases fulfill the governor’s pledge during the campaign to boost state aid in concert with rising state revenues – state tax collections are due to rise 4.8 percent in the next fiscal year, which begins on July 1.

The Chapter 70 school aid account in Baker’s budget will feature a $105 million increase, which means a minimum increase of $20 per student, Polito told the News Service during an interview Tuesday prior to a meeting with mayors and other municipal officials.

Unrestricted local aid, which is predominantly generated by Lottery profits, would increase to $980 million in Baker’s budget plan, which will undergo review and redrafting in the Legislature in the coming months.

Specific information about levels recommended for other local aid accounts – regional school transportation, payments in lieu of taxes, and special education, for example – was not available.

“We felt the focus should be on Chapter 70 school aid and on the unrestricted aid, and let the school districts and the municipal managers determine how best to utilize those dollars,” said Polito, a former state representative and local official.

The extra state aid will help cities and towns cope with rising health care costs, school enrollment increases and snow management costs, Polito said.

“Level funding is a cut,” she said. “And we felt that it was necessary to increase the percentage for both school aid and unrestricted aid in order to help our communities perform the services to the quality they need to help our families and our hardworking taxpayers.”

Baker budget aides say his spending plan will also restore fiscal 2015 budget levels for the METCO program, which enables students from Boston and Springfield to attend schools outside those cities.

Baker and Gov. Deval Patrick cut METCO funding in recent months as part of efforts to address a deficit in this year’s state budget.

A Baker budget aide said the governor’s spending plan would include “a lot of level funding.” The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation has estimated a $1.5 billion gap between expected revenues and expenses next year.

Baker is tackling that budget gap without recommending any tax hikes and does not plan to draw money from the state’s stabilization fund, which lawmakers have regularly used to support spending plans.

The governor’s budget bill, which will be the subject of hearings starting next week, also won’t include any “one-time gimmicks,” Polito said. “It’s a straight-forward budget that reflects the priorities that we have, which are helping our cities and towns succeed,” she said.

END
03/03/2015
Serving the working press since 1910
http://www.statehousenews.com

 

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Posted in Budgets, Schools, State

How many people does it take to run Medfield?

Posted on March 3, 2015 | Comments Off on How many people does it take to run Medfield?

Kristine Trierweiler has been putting financial figures together this week in response to queries about town budgets and finances, arising out of the upcoming public safety building special town meeting on March 23.  This data is a list of how many people it takes to run Medfield:

Total Personnel By Department

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Full Time       Part Time
Town Administrator        9                      8 Includes Administrative Staff for all of   Town Hall
Town Accountant              1                      0
Treasurer                             1                      0
Assessors                              1                     0
Planning Board/ZBA         1                      0
Building Commissioner     1                      0
Park and Recreation           3                      0 Does Not include Summer Counselors or Lifeguards
Police                                   23                      0 Does not include Crossing Guards or Aux Police (MEMA)
Highway                              13                       0 Does not include 2‐3 Summer Laborers
Solid Waste                           2                      0
Fire Admin                            6                      0 Includes Chief and Call Deputy, Call Captain, Call LT
Fire Operations                    8                       0 FF/EMTS
Call Firefighters                   0                     20 On Call
Tree Warden                         0                        1
Sealer                                      0                        1
Animal Control                     1                         1 PT is for on call coverage
Youth Outreach                    2                         0
Wastewater Treatment       4                         0
Library                                    6                       17
Water and Sewer                  4                         0
Cemetery                                2                         0

Total                                      88                      48

School Department         368.8 Full Time Equivalents (FTE)

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Posted in Budgets

Town budget online

Posted on March 2, 2015 | Comments Off on Town budget online

As part of the discussions about the proposed public safety building, some have asked to see the town budget.  A summary of the budget has always been online as part of the town’s annual reports, which are online, but today Kristine Trierweiler added a more detailed version of the budget online.

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Posted in Budgets

Recycling

Posted on February 25, 2015 | Comments Off on Recycling

Commonwealth Magazine has an article on trash and recycling in Massachusetts, and we do not look so good – too much trash per person, and therefore spending too much on trash disposal.  On the map they publish we are one of the few in the red (800+ lbs of trash/person/year).

trashmap

Our single stream recycling has upped our recycling numbers some and brought our trash tonnage down some.

However, DEP consistently tells me that the only way to get our trash numbers down a lot is to go to pay-as-you-throw, but no one likes PAYT.  DEP pointed me to Duxbury’s example, as Duxbury saw a slight drop in its trash amounts when it went to single stream, but Duxbury only achieved a dramatic drop when it implemented PAYT a year of two later.

To me it is an issue of trade offs, how much inconvenience and cost are we willing to suffer via PAYT to save the town money on trash disposal.  We know PAYT saves towns money, but we currently prefer to pay higher taxes to avoid PAYT.

CommonWealth magazine points out that Massachusetts pay-as-you-throw communities-nearly one-third of municipalities in the state-throw out just 432 pounds per person per year on average, compared with 670 pounds in non-PAYT cities and towns.

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Posted in Budgets, Recycling & Solid Waste

FY16 budget calendar

Posted on February 25, 2015 | Comments Off on FY16 budget calendar

The annual budget calendar countdown to the town meeting, plus the Special Town Meeting and Election dates for the public safety building –

FY2016 TIME TABLE

November 4, 2014 – Budget meeting with Warrant Committee All Town Department Heads

December 2, 2014 – FY16 budgets due in Accountant’s Office

December 16, 2014 – Selectmen vote to open Annual Town Meeting Warrant

January 6, 2015 – Warrant articles needing legal review are due

January 15, 2015 – Annual reports are due in the Selectmen’s Office.  This date is a Town Bylaw voted at Town Meeting, May 4, 1981

January 27, 2015 – Selectmen vote to close Annual Town Meeting Warrant

March 17, 2015 – Warrant Hearing. Selectmen sign Town Election Warrant for posting

MARCH 23, 2015 – SPECIAL TOWN MEETING on public safety building and solar photovoltaic installation at the Waste Water Treatment Facility

March 26, 2015 – Warrant Report and Town Report mailed to printer Selectmen sign Town

MARCH 30, 2015 – TOWN ELECTION on override for the public safety building and me for selectman (Re-Pete!)

April 7, 2014 – Meeting Warrant for posting

April 16, 2015 – Warrant Report mailed to residents

MONDAY MARCH 30, 2015 TOWN ELECTION

MONDAY APR IL 27, 2015 TOWN MEETING
(if needed, second night of Town Meeting on Tuesday April 28, 2015)

 

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Posted in Budgets, Elections, Town Meeting

Mailbox knock downs

Posted on February 17, 2015 | 2 comments

The issue of whether the town should pay for mailboxes our DPW plows knock down is probably a current concern of several residents.  One resident did recently email me about it, and since other residents may be wondering these days during this endless snow February about the town policy on the matter, I thought I should post my email response to that resident.

I did get your email about your mailbox being knocked down by a town plow. Please know that I rarely look at my Gmail account, and that it is better to get to me via Osler.Peterson@OslerPeterson.com.

First, let me apologize if it was in fact a town DPW truck that knocked down your mailbox.

Second, let me explain that the town used to pay for mailboxes that got knocked down, then first limited the amount paid from memory to about $50, and then even later about ten years ago the Board of Selectmen opted not to pay at all, on advice of the town administration, because:

  1. A survey of other towns showed that most did not pay
  2. the prices varied so much, and some were expensive
  3. liability was never certain (it could have been done by the driveway plow people), and
  4. the mailboxes are generally placed on the town’s property (the public way).

The Board of Selectmen just made a policy decision about how to spend our tax money. If the residents of the town want the town to pay for those mailboxes, they are free to have it done. Anyone can submit an annual town meeting (ATM) warrant article asking to have it done.

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Posted in Budgets, DPW, Select Board matters

New state-municipal partnership

Posted on February 11, 2015 | Comments Off on New state-municipal partnership

Letter today from the new Lt. Gov. –

February 9, 2015
Dear Municipal Leaders,
As the Baker-Polito Administration’s liaison to local officials, I am excited to write to you about some early actions our Administration has taken to support municipalities and local officials. On our first day in office, we released $100 million in Chapter 90 funds, for a total $300 million annual commitment to local roads and bridges. Second, Governor Baker signed his first ExecutiveOrder creating a Community Compact Cabinet (Cabinet) during the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Annual Meeting. Third, the Baker-Polito Administration elevated the Division of Local Services within the Department of Revenue, and we’re thrilled that your colleague, Brookline Deputy Town Administrator Sean Cronin, has agreed to become Senior Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Local Services.
As chair of the Cabinet, I will champion local government issues throughout the Administration and will work with you to create a true partnership between the state and cities and towns. Together,we will work to identify best practices and innovations that provide better, more effectivegovernment both at the local and state level. The Baker-Polito Administration will use the Cabinet to bring together the relevant high-level state officials to develop and execute our commi
tments to municipalities. One task I will highlight is that we are working to identify unfunded mandates, onerous regulations, and bottlenecks in state government that inhibit the success of your cities and towns. In March, the Division of Local Serviceswill circulate a survey to seek your input.
To hear directly from local leaders, I’ve already started a statewide tour to meet with municipal officials and I hope to be able to connect with you soon. I am eager to hear your ideas about how we can help y
ou grow the economy, provide a quality education for every child, and responsibly manage your community’s budget.
I have attached a summary of the Executive Order, and I look forward to working with you to create a great Massachusetts.
Sincerely,
Karyn E. Polito
Lieutenant Governor
 Elevating the Municipal Partnership
Baker-Polito Administration
The Baker-Polito team is committed to elevating its partnership with Massachusetts cities and towns. The Administration’s first act was to release $100 million in new Chapter 90 funding for local roads and bridges. In addition, we have pledged to hold harmless local aid accounts as we deal with a $765 million budget gap in FY15, and
we will increase local aid in a way that tracks state revenue growth.
Both Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito served as selectmen and
intimately understand the challenges facing municipalities.  Therefore, today we are elevating municipal concerns directly into the Governor’s Office.
Via Executive Order, we are empowering Lt. Governor Polito to be a champion for municipal issues across state government; we
are restructuring the Department of Revenue to include a new Senior Commissioner for the Division of Local Services, reporting directly to the Commissioner; and we are creating a Community Compact Cabinet that will work toward mutual accountability, work to reduce red tape, promote best practices, and develop specific “community compacts” with local governments. Community compacts will create clear, mutual standards, expectations, and accountability for both the state and municipalities as we seek to create better government for our citizens.
Executive Order 537
The Municipal Affairs Coordinating Cabinet
September 2011
Leadership:
Agency: Exec. Office of Admin. & Finance
Chair: The Deputy Commissioner for Local Services; Department of Revenue

 

Membership:
State Purchasing Agent
State Chief Information Officer
Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance
Executive Director of the Group Insurance Commission
Personnel Administrator
Chairman of the Civil Service Commission
Any member of the Governor’s Cabinet or their designee and any other person whom the Secretary of ANF may designate
Charge:

1.to implement policies and coordinate activities throughout the executive branch that are designated to enhance the partnerships between local and state government;

2. to assess ways in which state government may provide assistance to local government in the provision of services, including, but not limited to, technology, procurement, construction, employee benefits and other areas where the assets of state government may be utilized to assist local governments;
3. to assist in the interpretation and implementation of the various municipal partnership bills signed into law over the past five years in order to assist cities and towns in reducing costs, streamlining operations and generating revenue
New Executive Order
The Community Compact Cabinet
January 2015
Leadership:
Agency: Office of the Governor
Chair: Lieutenant Governor
Vice Chair: The Senior Deputy Commissioner, Division of Local Services; DOR
Membership:
Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
Secretary of the Executive Office of Education
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Assistant Secretary for Operational Services
Chief Information Officer
Any other person whom the Lieutenant Governor
may designate from time to time.
Charge:
1. to champion municipal interests across all executive secretariats and agencies;
2. to develop, in consultation with cities and towns, mutual standards of best practices for both the state and municipalities, working toward the creation of community compacts that will create clear standards, expectations and accountability for both partners;
3. to develop ideas to incentivize adoption of best practices at the municipal and school district level;
4. to work with the Local Government Advisory Commission (the “LGAC”) to resolve issues and implement recommendations made by the LGAC and approved by the Governor;
5. to review state regulatory burdens on municipalities and school districts and recommend reforms to lessen the burdens on municipalities and school districts;
6. to understand the major cost drivers of municipalities and school districts and identify actions that the Commonwealth, municipalities
and school districts can take to control them;
7. to identify and remove barriers to economic development opportunities for cities and towns; and
8. to empower cities and towns and school districts by finding new ways for them to leverage state resources and capacity Leadership
Membership Charge

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Posted in Budgets, State