Press Release
The 2006–2007 fiscal year budgets for the
Town of Westford was balanced at the October
Special Town Meeting based on receipt of a
$1.5 Million grant from the state for
remediation of the Abbot Oil release. Late last
week, Governor Mitt Romney announced
freezing approximately $450 Million in various
programs after being approved by the
legislature. The frozen funds included the $1.5
Million earmarked for reimbursement to the
Town for oil spill remediation. With this action,
the Town’s budget is no longer balanced as
required by law. In order to comply, a Special
Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday,
December 12, 2006 to balance the budget.
A balanced budget is necessary to complete
the final steps in setting the 2007 tax rate.
Two weeks ago, all required forms and
documentation were submitted to the
Department of Revenue, Division of Local
Services. The Division of Local Services cannot
set the Town’s tax rate until they receive a
commitment from the Department of
Environmental Protection, the state agency
through which oil spill remediation funds were
to be granted. DEP is waiting for a
commitment from Administration and Finance.
Since the funds have been frozen, this will not
happen. Tax bills were scheduled to be mailed
on or before January 1, 2007 and a delay may
jeopardize the Town’s timely receipt of
operating funds.
At Special Town Meeting, voters will be asked
to appropriate $1,184,140.62 from either Free
Cash or the Stabilization Fund to balance the
Fiscal Year 2007 budget. Although this will
reduce our reserves to a level which barely
meets our minimum recommended balance,
the Town will be able to meet all financial
obligations and comply with statute. The
Finance Committee will be making a
recommendation to the Board of Selectmen
and Town as to the where the funds should be
appropriated from in order to have the least
impact on operations.
Special Town Meeting has a quorum
requirement of 200 registered voters. If
quorum is not achieved, the Town may not be
able to send out its tax bills, which may force
the Town into borrowing in anticipation of tax
revenue. The Board of Selectmen apologizes
for the grave inconvenience a second Special
Town Meeting will cause residents along with
the associated cost of approximately $5000 to
hold the meeting. The Board urges residents
to attend so that the budget may be balanced
and additional costs to the Town avoided.
The Board of Selectmen is making every effort
to secure the release of funds prior to holding
a Special Town Meeting. State Representative
Geoff Hall and State Senator Steve
Panagiotakis are aware of the Town’s situation
and have hand delivered letters to the
Governor. Town Manager, Steve Ledoux and
Finance Director, Suzanne Marchand has
conferred with the Department of Revenue for
alternative solutions. The Board will continue
to advocate on behalf of the Town and urges
residents to contact the Governor and express
their opinion.
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