Foxborough Selectmen Voice Opinion on Cuts to COA in FY12 Alternative Budget

"No Council of Aging cuts" was the theme that rang the loudest at Foxborough's board of selectmen meeting last evening, April 25.

Foxborough town manager Kevin Paicos kicked off the review of the FY12 alternative budget discussion by giving a brief overview of the budget cuts that would be on the table if the meals tax did not pass at town meeting.

Proposed budget cuts:

• HR Director (a position that has yet to be created).
• Library Position & Page Hours and Library Position related benefits.
• Council of Aging -11.6% cut in their budget, which would mean reducing the hours of operation of the van service by half. It will also reduce a program position by 40 %. 

Paicos noted that those particular cuts would have to made -assuming the meals tax did not pass - because the board made it clear that they did not want to see any reductions in public safety.

Selectmen Lawrence J. Harrington jumped into the conversation, correcting Paicos on his comments regarding the boards decision on public safety.

"When I [Harrington] spoke to you about public safety, I was referring to reducing headcount," said Harrington. "We have a lot of overtime in police and fire that could be addressed - that is different to me than taking out a full position in the force."

Harrington further commented on the proposed alternative budget saying, "our senior citizens who have not had an increase in social security, are struggling to keep their head above water - that vehicle is important to them and the services at the Council of Aging (COA) are important." 

Harrington concluded his thoughts to Paicos by suggesting he looks at other budget cut alternatives that could include free cash for the one-year and reducing overtime across the budget. 

"How can we sit here and say we are having trouble finding $90,000 [the amount of the budget needed to be cut if the meals tax does not pass] out of 15 million - I just don't buy it," said Harrington.

Selectmen, Lorraine A. Brue, commented that the current focus should be on passing the meals tax.

Paicos shifted the discussion over to the long-term looming reality facing Foxborough.

"This discussion we are having this year is only going to get tougher next year," said Paicos. "These are the kinds of uncomfortable choices that we are going to [start] having to make."

Pacios went onto note that the town of Foxborough has been "living the dream." 

"We have been very lucky here -good management, smart management and a stadium that provides resources," said Paicos. "However, the reality is that it is catching up to us - all of our other sources of revenue are crashing."

Paicos's goal with the alternative budget versus the "meals tax budget" was to do a little bit of cutting this year in order to prepare for not doing as much cutting next year.

"You [Paicos] can't cut the COA budget - I understand and I heard your message," said Paicos. "I will take the boards request and be back with a new version of the alternative budget."

Paicos will draft a new version of the alternative budget (only to be used if the meals tax does not pass), which will still mostly likely include some form of cuts. It will be some percent of the bigger budgets and a small percent for the smaller budgets.

Board of selectmen chairwoman, Lynda Walsh, concluded the alternative budget discussion by saying, "I received emails and calls from folks at the senior center and I apologize if anyone thought it [the meals tax budget vs. the alternative cut budget] was a scare tactic."

Walsh went onto note that times are tough in Foxborough and urged town departments to look at ways they could help to chip in - that being the ultimate solution to a hard-hitting situation.