Little drops

Okay, we made it through the weekend. A busy week coming up. Everyone scrambling to dot the i's and cross the t's to get the warrant shipshape for the STM.  Essentially this is the "must get it done" period if recommendations are going to be on the warrant.

This was suppose to be a very easy year.  It isn't shaping up to be that way, on all fronts. We have the never ending issues to deal with, i.e. selling old buildings. We have the never ending new ideas to deal with, i.e. buying land with a as yet to be determined set plan to potentially build new buildings. to top it all off, a real prospect for a state budget cut with the always, and usual cut to local aid midyear.

Now I have been aware of this last tidbit since just after the election.  Interestingly enough, there was no real discussion about the prospect until two (2) days after the election.  Even though reality was staring everyone in the face before that by the way.

It is what it is, and that's because of poor planning. If you want to read about the prospects there are several articles. A Mass. Live report provides good background. The MMA has an interesting blurb.

The last time this happened, there were some interesting cuts made.  Granted when the same were done during FY 2013, the deficit was about a third larger and was the result more of actual drop in real revenue, rather than the speculative stuff seeming to drive this one, but interesting still.

From the MMA link above:

The mid-year reductions in fiscal 2013 included a 5 percent cut to the Special Education Circuit Breaker program, a 47 percent cut to the homeless student transportation account (McKinney-Vento), a 70 percent cut to the Chapter 70 “pothole” account, a 3 percent cut in veterans’ benefit reimbursements, a 1 percent cut in regional school transportation funding, a 1.4 percent cut to charter school reimbursements, and cuts to other important accounts.

Now certainly we could have some big influx of revenue with a healthy and robust Christmas shopping season.  Not likely but possible.  The cuts could be made from areas other than local aid. wouldn't that be a surprise.

Bottom line though, hold onto your hat. While the wind hasn't started to gust, when you know it will be blowing out there, if the wind takes your hat, shame on you.

By the way, read the articles if you want to know the reason for the lion' share of the expected deficit. 

Nice present to lay at the door step of a new governor. Announced two days after the election, although in fairness there were statements made about possibilities prior to it, just not in the nature of definitive, more like vague.  It is highly unlikely this is all going to get resolved before the new administration starts.  It should be.  It is a result of the prior administration. If it isn't resolved, what do you think the betting line will be when the next election is held about the arguments for the cuts the new governor made?

Go back a decade or so ago and you can dig the laments out about a mess back then.

Anyway ... probably not specifically local enough presently to presently draw much local attention.

Should be plenty of attention tonight at the selectmen's meeting on the trees. Whether the weather will keep the citizenry tucked home in bed, safe and sound, is a point to ponder.  Whether the board weathers the storm scheduled for 8:00 P.M. tonight will be interesting also. 

I am sure there is a bunch of other stuff on tap tonight.  Usually is.  Allocated into the respective time slots. 

Rainy days and Mondays folks. Today being where both apply.  

Enough. 

Be safe.