Public Hearing on Budget Draws No Comments

Surprising, veteran observers of the Town Council and town officials, no one commented on the proposed 2009 budget during the public hearing last night on the spending plan.

With the economic crisis making the 2009 budget one of the most contentious in municipal history, with potential layoffs of town employees looming, many had expected an active public hearing on the budget. The hearing occurred even though the final vote has been postponed indefinitely, pending state review of the spending plan. With the public hearing already advertised, state law forced the council to continue with it.

The crowd included several department heads and local residents, who came out to support the budget. Several residents said they appreciated the council's work on the budget and wanted to be able to express their support for the plan, if there was public comment opposing the plan.

Members of the local chapter of the Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association occupied the back rows of the council chamber, as they have for the last several weeks. The potential layoffs include firefighters, and the FMBA has joined the other three unions, which represent town employees, in declining an offer by town management to give up two paid vacation days in an effort to prevent layoffs. The proposal did not include a commitment to prevent layoffs in 2009.

FMBA officials explained the union does not wish to comment publically at the moment, citing the fact that they are waiting and watching the actions of local government and will be prepared to comment in the future.

The lack of public comment did not prevent Town Administrator Jim Gildea from taking the podium later in the evening to comment on the heavy attendance by municipal employees.

"I would like to thank the employees for coming tonight," Gildea said.

His comments were greeted by a single person applauding while the rest of the audience looked on.