Brewer responds to town’s fiscal crisis

Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

NORTH BROOKFIELD - “I would appreciate it if you would share this information with the good people of North Brookfield” was the hand written postscript to the letter state Sen. Stephen M. Brewer sent in response to a letter sent to him by the board of selectmen recently.

In that letter, the board had outlined the town’s dire financial circumstances, and had requested that Brewer vote against any further reductions in local aid, seek a reduction in the state sales tax, and pursue, through any means possible, relief for the town’s perilous financial problems.

In his response, Brewer cited the sole area of growth in FY10 and in this year’s budget as health care, still being debated by the senate and a “budget buster” for the Commonwealth and for municipalities. He went on to say that the legislature has cut its budget, the current budget for the legislature being 23.3 percent less than its original FY09 budget. Additionally, he said, the FY10 budget increased state contribution rates for health benefits, representing, in all, a 5 percent increase in health care costs for all state employees.

“I have to respectfully disagree with the assertion that the state would be able to increase local aid while cutting two main sources of its revenue: income and sales tax. I believe North Brookfield would have a difficult time balancing its budget if the town were to decrease property taxes. Just as your revenue stream has decreased due to the housing market crash, state revenues have also declined as residents have been laid off and are seeking state assistance to make ends meet,” he wrote.

He continued, saying that he felt the increase in sales tax last year was, although not easy, a responsible vote, as a measure designed to prevent the elimination of services vital to the communities he serves. “I also voted against increasing the income tax and increasing the gas tax,” he continued. He noted that even at this state’s 6.25 percent, 30 other states in the nation have a higher aggregate state sales tax, due to our system of built-in exemptions for necessities such as food, clothing, prescription drugs, utilities and gasoline.

In his final paragraphs, he stated that Governor Patrick “was able to level fund Chapter 70 and the Unrestricted General Government Account because his budget included $350 million in new taxes. The senate’s budget does not include any new taxes or fees. Based on your letter, I would expect that the Board would be supportive of the senate’s decision not to include the governor’s proposals. Without these extra monies, the senate drafted budget recommendations that are $350 million less than what the governor proposed.”

The board accepted his letter with no comment other than appreciation for a speedy response.

Selectmen Mary Walter reported that standardized payroll vouchers will be placed into usage by July 1. “The time to do this is now; it has been mandated that we do what every other town has been doing for a while,” she said. She explained that the bi-weekly forms will keep better track of hours, sick time, vacation and other such considerations. The new system will apply to every town employee, with the exception of union workers,” she said.

Walter reported that she had arranged to meet Wednesday with EPA officials regarding ongoing plans for cleanup funds for the town house and Nash buildings. Those sites are still eligible for cleanup funds, and examination of the sites and the related phase I and phase II paperwork already completed will determine future grant applications, she said.

Chairman Jason Petraitis announced that the benefit cookout-movie for Fisher House, held last Friday at the elementary school, had raised $900 for the benefit of Fisher House, which provides overnight facilities for families visiting disabled veterans who are hospitalized.