In case anyone thought the so-called federal stimulus money was going to do anything other than delay the inevitable, our state legislators sent town leaders and workers a message this week: Plan ahead. When it comes to budget cuts, you ain't seen nothing yet.
State government used $1.5 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment act money to help reduce cuts in this coming fiscal year's state budget in areas such as local aid to Andover. But these band-aid funds will not be available next year, and state legislators for Andover are already planning for "the painful task of closing a hole in the budget that reaches $3 billion or more. With that in mind, we urge you to plan ahead for what may be an even more difficult budget season," they wrote in a letter to selectmen, School Committee and Finance Committee members.
The stimulus money has bought communities some time and the ability to provide most services for another year while they figure out how to do things differently. You've read it here in this space countless times, but now even state government is acknowledging the need: It's time to prioritize, pare unnecessary expenses and decide how to offer services more efficiently. In the end, with salaries and benefits accounting for the bulk of the Andover operating budget, most changes need to come through reasonable agreements at the bargaining table.
Legislators note in their letter the importance of town workers and town officials cooperating to rein in costs: "Like the state government, you do not have the option of borrowing to finance an untenable budget. Like the state legislature, Andover must find a way to do more with less. In order to balance the budget and move forward with the crucial services our residents need we must all work together to find ways to rein in costs. We will all be asked to sacrifice and to share in the hard work ahead. We are confident that Andover will survive these difficult times, as it has before, through the dedication and cooperation of those who live in our town and those who serve it," they said.
To their credit, some town bargaining groups and individual employees have pitched in for the fiscal year that will begin July 1, agreeing to take less of a raise, or, in a few cases, no cost-of living raise. Others — including some of the largest unions such as the teachers, many Public Works and Plant & Facilities workers (known as the American Federation of State and County Employees) and the firefighters union — have shown less interest in putting the interests of the community ahead of self-interest. Those who have worked to hold back spending deserve praise, but even that effort does not address the systematic problems. In the year ahead, more groups will need to be involved with long-term solutions and change, offering realistic and meaningful ideas and reforms.
Ideas are percolating. When we asked people last week for ways Andover could run more efficiently, many had several to offer. We will continue to publish them and promote discussion. Ideas to improve the town and reduce unnecessary spending can be sent to townsman@andovertownsman.com or mailed to Editor Neil Fater, 33 Chestnut St., Andover, MA 01810. Please include your name and a contact number (the number is not for publication). Those who wish to remain anonymous are welcome to offer ideas and join the discussion online, by scrolling to the bottom of the IDEAS FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT stories and posting comments, at andovertownsman.com.
With the wealth of talent in this town, we're sure people can work together creatively to keep Andover as a special community. Change for the better can be created.
