“We are staring at an untenable situation. We have to ask the voters.”

— John Michael Shields

The evening began with a presentation from Mr. Hurley of the Warrant Committee on the state of the town’s finances and the impact of a contingent and non-contingent budget. Included were the decrease in town revenues and the trends that have occurred over the last 10 years, most significant being the need for an increase in property taxes to absorb increases in the cost of town services (69% in 2001 vs 77% in 2010).

Mr. Hurley presented the two budgets; the non-contingent budget and the one contingent on an override. He reviewed the town’s budget policy, the policy regarding use of reserve funds (ie they should not be used without a plan to restore them and they should not be applied against the operating budget). The Stabilization fund currently has $1,222,749 and the Capital Stabilization fund has $60,331. He also noted that Milton to date has retained it’s bond rating (Aa3 with Moody’s and AA with S&P). He reviewed the pressures on the budget: reductions in revenue, union and non-union pay settlements, and fixed cost increases.

It is the Warrant Committees recommendation to go withthe following override allocation

FY10 Revenue Shortfall                                   $ 749,271
FY10 New Equipment / Maintenance                 $ 296,157
FY10 Restore Service                                      $2,330,675
TOTAL                                                            $3,376,103

Here is a table listing the respective impacts that the two budgets will have on town services. Hurley emphasized that the contingent budget still does not get us back to level service but it does significantly reduce the toll that would be taken in head count.

Non-contingent budget impact	Contingent budget impact
Closure of one fire station Closure of one branch library Loss of 46 school positions (38 teachers) Loss of 5 firemen Loss of 5 police officers Loss of 2 911 emergency dispatchers Loss of 6 traffic supervisors Loss of the Youth Counselor Reductions in personnel and hours across Town Hall Depts. No yard waste pickup 50% of street lights turned off	Possible closure of one branch library Loss of 13 school positions (7 teachers) Loss of 2 firemen Loss of 2 police officers Loss of the Youth Counselor fewer reductions in personnel and hours across Town Hall Depts. 50% of street lights turned off

You can find the complete Warrant Committee presentation here.

The key speech was given by Mr. Shields, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

Speaking for the Board of Selectmen as the newly appointed chairman, Mr. Shields voiced unequivocal support for the passage of a contingent budget. He said,”This represents our best foot forward and the Board of Selectmen unanimously endorse the contingent budget.”

He went on to say that, “This recession is insidious.” He and the selectmen believe that the voters need to decide on June 8th whether we will continue to experience  “Milton as we know it” or a “starkly different place.”

Articles 1 through 16 passed per recommendation of the Warrant Committee. Article 16 was amended and the youth worker position was restored.

Ms Agnostino had filed a motion to delay Town Meeting until receipt of the cherry sheets from the state. This motion was voted down. Today the Boston Globe reported that tax revenues may fall below state projections putting aid to towns at further risk. You can find the Globe story here.

Also the Warrant Committee published an update to Article 49 of the Warrant. This article is in regard to the Blue Hill Avenue Institutional/Overlay District. The Committee is following the recommendation of the Planning Board which is that the proposal “requires further study to explore options that would best meet the needs of the various stakeholders.”