Finance director warns of multi‑million shortfall; Select Board set to weigh possible override or deeper cuts

Assistant Town Manager and Finance Director Matt Violetta delivered a detailed budget presentation to the Select Board outlining a multi‑year forecast and the town’s near‑term options.

Violetta said revenue is currently estimated at about $119.2 million while expenditures are projected near $124 million, yielding a projected shortfall the transcript records as "$4,700,000,000.0"—a figure discussed in context by staff as a roughly $4.7 million deficit that will change as state aid and insurance rates are finalized. “Revenue budget estimated right now at a hundred and 19 point 2 million,” Violetta said during the presentation.

He outlined several balancing measures: spending down a road bond and delaying borrowing (which could reduce expenditures by roughly $600,000), eliminating two proposed public‑safety positions (saving about $300,000), and deeper personnel reductions if necessary—Violetta estimated that balancing the budget without an override could require cutting roughly nine town positions and 36 school positions to reach a near‑1% increase target.

Violetta described the town’s process and timeline: budget memos were issued Oct. 1, department submissions are due in late October, the maintained current services budget will be posted in early January, and any override decision for voters would be prepared in the spring. He said a final, balanced number will not be available until contractual and state numbers are firmed up, and he asked the board to consider three public communication points: past cost reductions, tax implications of an override, and contingency reductions if an override fails.

Board members asked for follow‑up information, including whether overtime costs could offset hiring the proposed police and firefighter positions; Violetta said he would obtain overtime estimates for those scenarios and coordinate with department chiefs.