Board Prepares for Budget

Selectmen are looking to get an early start on the budget this year, but losing their health insurance provider next year presents uncertainty.

The Board began planning the budget process at this week’s meeting and discussed the best way to tackle the town’s finances.

One issue came to light earlier this month, when Town Administrator Chris Rose told the board that the town’s health insurance provider, Primex, will no longer be participating in group health insurance after July 1, 2012.

Selectmen agreed that they needed to learn the rates of alternative providers as soon as possible, since it takes up a large portion of the budget.

Chair Bruce Bowler said it would be a good idea to talk to the school district and possibly get connected to their policy.

Rose also said that the Board will want to keep on top of the budget before new town administrator Jim O’Mara begins in a few months.

“You want to make sure you have plenty of time to do the things you need to get done,” said Rose.

Selectman George Infanti said that the Board should establish strong guidelines for town departments to follow for their budgets and give them a concrete agenda to avoid confusion.

“I would really like to have everything put to bed by the end of the year, and I don’t see that we can’t if we do it properly,” he said.

Putting together a budget manual for Department Heads is one of the goals set by the Selectmen for the year. The list also includes an improved town website, setting up impact fees and setting up a DPW structure to protect the town’s assets.

The Selectmen will meet again on Sept. 12, where they plan to have a timeline set for the budget process.