Lancaster finds cupboards bare; Won't support school budget.

Byline: Jan Gottesman

LANCASTER - It is coming down to the numbers, and they don't look good.

Monday night, selectmen voted to stand with the Finance Committee in rejecting the Nashoba Regional School Committee budget, despite the fact the school board was able to cut its request to reflect a 1.57 percent increase for Lancaster, or $148,694.

Monday night, after hearing from state representatives Harold Naughton Jr. and Jennifer Benson, who let officials know that things could get worse in terms of the local aid they are expecting to fund the budget, selectmen voted to tell the School Committee they cannot afford anything above level funding. Other municipal budgets were cut 10 percent to fund the $15.58 million budget.

"Our situation in Lancaster is tough," said John Wojciak, chairman of the Finance Committee. "There are two areas of concern: The fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget shortfall and the current budget work on FY10."

Wojciak said that with reduced state aid announced in February for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, and a reduction in revenue, from items like building permits and excise tax, there has been a $500,000 deficit to cover in the current fiscal year, "which is big for a small town." To close the gap, the town reduced hours for some town hall employees and tapped the reserve funds, which affects what can be safely withdrawn to cover shortfalls for the next budget. The town can either raise revenue through increased taxes, or reduce expenses.

"It has been the intention of this Finance Committee to reduce expenses and live within our means. We don't think increasing taxes is an option," Wojciak said. "It affects town employees with jobs lost and hours cut. It is a painful experience and one that no one enjoys."

Selectmen voted not to put any override questions before voters, with feedback from residents that they cannot afford any extra expenses at this time.

Voting not to support the school budget is not an easy decision, officials agreed.

"Over the years, the town has been generous in allowing the schools more generous increases than other departments. I feel we have been supportive of education," Wojciak said. "This is not meant to be a slap in the face to the hard work done by the School Committee." However, after asking other departments to cut 10 percent, and eliminating all capital requests, including water infrastructure work and a new police cruiser, the Finance Committee members felt they had no other...