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Town administrator outlines plan to manage a second consecutive default budget, emphasizes vacancy management
Summary
Town Administrator told selectmen the town will manage a second straight default budget largely by holding vacant positions open, trimming nonessential projects and prioritizing capital‑reserve‑funded articles; staff estimated about five to six current vacancies.
Town Administrator Ryan briefed the Board of Selectmen April 1 on the town’s fiscal approach after voters left the town on a default budget for a second consecutive year.
Ryan said the primary mechanism to manage the default is to leave some vacancies unfilled, which reduces wage and benefit costs; he estimated the town currently has roughly five to six unfilled positions across departments. He cautioned that filling every vacancy immediately would create payroll shortfalls and could force layoffs.
Department heads have pared operating budgets of nonessential projects and deferred large purchases. Capital reserve funds and warrant articles that passed will still move forward, Ryan said; the operating budget contains little room for new projects beyond critical services. The administrator recommended handling hiring requests case‑by‑case based on departmental need and funding availability, rather than a blanket freeze, and proposed earlier and broader public education (a voter guide and informational outreach) for future warrant articles.
No formal policy change was adopted; the board and staff agreed to monitor vacancies and review hiring proposals individually.
