SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee agreed last night to ask all departments for three budget proposals for next year.
Committee Vice Chairman Robert Horacek said they wanted departments to prepare a level funded budget and a budget with a five-percent increase.
“We’re looking at a level funded and a five-percent decrease,” said Board Chairman Joseph Deedy.
Committee member Sheila Chamberlin suggested they ask for all three and explained that the Finance Committee wanted to see what departments would include in an increased budget.
Selectman Russell Fox was concerned that some residents would take an increased budget option as a sign of better financial times than what the town is facing.
“I don’t want to send the wrong message that things are rosy,” said Fox. “We have the second part of the debt exclusion coming and I don’t want anybody thinking ‘Oh look, they’re looking to grow the budget’.”
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart added that taxpayers also have the sewer bonding to pay for.
Selectman Douglas Moglin said it would also be helpful to have the actual expended funds of each budget included in the budget packets for the budget sessions that take place in February.
“The more information, the better,” said Chamberlin.
