VIDEO: Galinson Back to Tackle Budget

Brad Galinson has returned to town government once again and foresees many challenges in putting together a town budget for the next fiscal year.

Galinson served on the Board of Selectmen from 2007 until 2010, but r after former chairman Jim O’Mara was selected to serve as the Amherst Town Administrator.

His fellow selectmen said that it was Galinson’s expertise with the budgeting process that made him the right choice to fill in the position until the March elections.

He originally left town government because work began to get busy, but had not planned to come back this year. However, his experience in budgeting was needed by the town as it faces the problems arising from the economic downturn.

“It made sense and I am thrilled to help them out,” he said.”

Galinson is the Principal of Bluestone Property Management in New York, where he manages multiple budgets for apartment complexes around the country.

He said that working with the town budget, with all of its separate departments, is similar to the work he does everyday at his job.

In his three years of service, Galinson saw the challenges of putting together a budget as the economy worsened, even seeing their budget default one year.

Now that the town is starting with a 9 percent increase, which is out of their control, he sees significant sacrifices in the future.

“We will definitely have an uphill battle for the budget and as well to market to the voters,” he said.

He said that they are going to have to “get creative” in dealing with the struggling public works budget and balancing the budgets of other town departments.

Originally from California, he has lived in Amherst for eight years and loves how the town structure is different from the “giant, unanimous, anonymous bureaucracy” in place out west.

“This is truly a neighbor government,” said Galinson. “I really believe in that and am moved by our structure of government.”

He said that he loves living in Amherst Village, which shows the true character of the town.

“The best part about Amherst is the village, but I mean that in a general basis,” said Galinson. “We are truly a bedroom community, our town is homes, family, and neighbors. It is a safe, terrific place to live.”