Legislative Reports: Senator Ed Meyer reported as follows: The Bottle Bill was passed with 5c refundable items now including spring water bottles and the escheat monies (value of uncollected refunds totaling $30 million per year) will be collected by the State. Later discussion is planned regarding a) the possible inclusion of non-carbonated drink containers and b) raising the refund value to 10c is scheduled and c) raising the handling fee from 2c to 3c. Budget discussion: re Year One - $1 billion deficit will likely be achieved by dipping into the $1.4 billion Rainy Day Fund. Labor contracts are in negotiation and the value of federal stimulus monies is as yet unknown. Local impact on reduced funds for town roads. Special Ed. Funds are on hold. Budget Year Two – the projected $8-9 billion deficit has yet to be addressed. The State Republican party appears to be divided within itself and between the House and Senate. The Environment Committee is addressing no-cost issues such as protection from toxic chemicals and DEP enforcement powers. Good candidates are needed. Questions: Ed gave reassurance that the legislature was in support of Kevin Lembo, Health Care Ombudsman, and Children’s Advocate, Jeannie Milstein. He stated that school construction monies in the pipeline would not be affected by budget cuts, and that efforts to "sweep" the Clean Energy Fund into the general treasury were being resisted by the legislature. Selectmen’s Report: Selectperson Veronica Wallace stated that a $27 million Town budget was submitted to the Board of Finance (BOF) after $1.4 million had been reduced from Department requests. The Board of Education (BOE) request is for a 3.4% increase. The BOF Public Hearing will be on March 3 and BOF workshops are planned for March 5. A Blight Ordinance was approved. The referendum to approve a $15 million bond for purchase of the Goss land resulted in a 5:1 vote of approval. |
