Finance Committee and Select Board review challenges, reductions in FY25 budgets

WESTFORD— In a joint meeting, the Finance Committee and Select Board reviewed the FY25 budget and its impacts on several departments in town with two proposed budgets.

Overview of budgetary challenges

The Select Board, Finance Committee, and School Committee began to meet individually as early as January 2023 to highlight potential challenges in the budget. 

These challenges came into “clearer focus” in May 2023 according to Town Manager Kristen Las, with a report from the Budget Task Force in October 2023 outlining several challenges and suggested cost-cutting measures to balance the town’s budget.

Las and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Chew prepared two budgets, one requiring a Proposition 2 ½ override and a balanced budget with “significant cuts” that would meet the Proposition 2 ½ limit. Las and Dr. Chew then presented their budgets to the Select Board and School Committee in December 2023.

In January and February 2024, the Finance Committee has begun to host a series of public hearings to review the budgets and field public input before finalizing the budget for Town Meeting in March.

“The budget is extremely tight again this year, in both scenarios to be honest,” Las said. “We are taking comments from the public extremely seriously under these conditions.”

The Finance Committee and Select Board are both examining several budget variables to track potential growth and costs, and how Westford can be more energy efficient and sustainable.

With high inflation creating several budget challenges, communities like Arlington have already passed a 2 ½ override, while Groton and Dracut are still considering an override.

“Westford is not alone in this inflation period and we are seeing other municipalities having very similar challenges,” Las said.

She added, “we are also fully aware that there are many people who cannot afford increases in taxes or have other hardships … There are certain exemptions or tax deferral options that people can explore, and our [Town] Assessor’s office is more than willing to help people throughout that process.”

Effects on departments

In a scenario where the override fails, Public Safety and Works, Culture and Recreation, and Enterprise departments would see reductions in their service hours and utilities. 

The proposed Tree Warden budget sees personal services increasing by $62, a 0.14% increase in an override. In the non-override there will be a decrease in contracted services, meaning a 23% decrease in services for the overall budgets.

The public works budget sees personal services increasing by 2.1%, or $5,780 as a result of cost of living increases. In the non-override budget, equipment maintenance and meetings and conferences will be reduced. 

The J.V. Fletcher Library would see a reduction in line items, printing and process supplies, mileage and subscriptions, and dues and membership. 15% of its budget accounts for books and materials. However, some of this is paid for by the state through memorial and operating funding. The library has already suspended Sunday hours this winter as a cost-savings measure.

Its budget would be reduced by $98,000, with operating hours would be reduced to 50 from 55.

“Under the failed budget we definitely would have to apply to the Board of Library Commissioners for a waiver, because we would not meet the municipal appropriation requirements,” J.V. Fletcher Library Director Ellen Rainville said. 

With an override, there would still be a reduction in Recreational services, with overall expenses expected to decrease by $66,000.

Over the years staff has decreased, and may be further reduced without appropriate funds. This may affect the Recreation Department from remaining in compliance with early education and childcare licensing.

“It might be challenging to hire the necessary staff members to run programs … and the department’s ability to stay competitive in and around Westford. Reduced enrollment means reduced revenue,” Director of Recreation Michelle Collett said. 

What are the next steps?

The Select Board will host several meetings for residents to attend leading up to the Annual Town meeting on March 23 and the Annual Town Election on May 7, including

• Finance Committee Budget Hearings – Thursdays from Jan. 18 to Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. via Town Hall and Zoom
• Select Board votes to close warrant -Jan. 23, 7 p.m. via Town Hall and Zoom
• League of Women Voters in person at WestfordCAT – Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m.
• Cameron Senior Center in person – Jan. 26, 12 p.m.
• WEPTO Zoom Meeting – Jan. 30, 7 p.m.
• Select Board sets the order of warrant articles on Feb. 13.
  

There will also be meetings with the Westford SEPAC and Westford Rotary on dates that have yet to be determined. An open forum will also be held on March 4 at 7 p.m. Locations for each meeting have not been annouced at the time of reporting.

Residents can stay involved by attending the virtual Finance Committee Budget Hearings and visiting the “Budget” page on the Westford website. Educational videos regarding the Budget Task Force’s findings on WestfordCAT.