Middleboro’s town manager has a grim budget outlook for the town in the coming fiscal year, as the state projects a $1.5 billion deficit.Town Manager Charles J. Cristello said the state budget deficit will trickle down to the cities and towns. State officials, he said, “have made it very clear that everything is on the table, including local aid cuts.”

Middleboro can expect a 7 percent cut in general government aid – about $160,000, he said. School aid is also expected to be cut from 5 to 7 percent. Compounding the town’s budget deficit are health insurance costs, which, according to preliminary figures, will rise about 10 percent, Cristello said.  There is also grim news in the current town budget. Public Works Director Andrew Bagas announced that the town has spent $127,000 so far this year for snow removal – $72,000 more than budgeted.

Last year, department heads were asked to cut their budgets by 5 percent to help balance Middleboro’s budget.

Source: Taunton Gazette, January 27, 2011