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<a href="../xTownMisc/oldindex.htm">Needham Home Page</a></font><!--mstheme--></font></td>
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<img border="0" src="selectmen.gif" align="right" width="607" height="87"><p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> </p>
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<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"><b>
<font face="Verdana" size="2">1471 Highland Avenue</font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"><b>
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> Needham, MA 02492<br>
Phone - 781-455-7500<br>
Fax - 781-449-4569</font></b><p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<b><font face="Verdana" size="2">Email: </font></b>
<a href="mailto:[email protected]">
<font face="Verdana, arial, helvetica" size="2" color="#0000FF">GenInfo</font></a><font face="Verdana, arial, helvetica" color="#FFFFFF" size="2"><a href="mailto:[email protected]"><font color="#0000FF">@town.needham.ma.us</font></a></font><!--mstheme--></font></td>
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<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<b><font face="Verdana" size="5" color="#0000FF">FY 2003 Override
Information</font></b></p>
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<a href="Index.htm">Board of Selectmen Home</a><!--mstheme--></font></td>
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<o:p>
<p style="margin:1 5; text-indent: 0; " align="center">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in" align="left"><b> </b><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana"><b>Information Concerning General Government Operating
Override Ballot</b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana"><b>Questions For Public Safety and Maintenance of Public
Ways</b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i>(Excerpted from Memorandum to Board of
Selectmen dated March 3, 2003)</i></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></u></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u>Form of Questions</u></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .5in; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u>Question 3</u> Shall the Town of
Needham be allowed to assess an additional $300,000 in real estate and
personal property taxes for the purposes of funding public safety services in
the Police and Fire Departments for the fiscal year beginning July first,
2003?</font><!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; margin-left: .5in; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u>Question 4</u> Shall the Town of
Needham be allowed to assess an additional $150,000 in real estate and
personal property taxes for the purposes of funding road maintenance and
repair efforts by the Department of Public Works for the fiscal year beginning
July first, 2003?</font><!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<h2 style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"><!--mstheme--><font color="#330099">
<font face="Verdana" size="2" color="#000000">
<span style="font-weight:normal">Previous Operating Override Requests</span></font><!--mstheme--></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">During 2002, the staff and the Board reviewed
requests for level-funded, level-service, and additional service requests from
all departments, including public safety and public works. The result of that
review was the Board�s decision to place an operating override on the ballot in
November, 2002. Only level-funded and level-service requests were placed on the
ballot � no new programs or services were included. The primary emphasis of the
Board�s recommendation at that time was to close the projected budget gap, to
ensure the continuation of services in the core areas of public safety and
public health, and to take steps to restore and preserve the Town�s public
facilities and infrastructure. A review of some of the items included in the
previous operating override is presented below in order to demonstrate the
documented needs of the community for investment in these areas.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><b>Public Safety</b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u><span style="text-decoration:
none"> </span></u></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u>Police Current Proposal</u></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">The current proposal would restore services which
would be eliminated in the Board�s balanced budget proposal, in the amount of
$140,000. In the Police Department, the proposed reduction would result in the
elimination of either one sergeant position and one patrol officer position, or
the elimination of three patrol officers, Community Services programs -- such as
school safety officer, elderly liaison, and business community liaison -- and
patrol coverage and other operations provided on an overtime basis. Continued
erosion in Police Department staffing levels will result in slower response
times, the elimination of programs, and the possible loss of eligibility for
certain grant programs. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u><span style="text-decoration:
none"> </span></u></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u>Police Previous Override Request and
Demonstrated Need</u></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">The Lowest level override question ($4.65 million)
in November, 2002 would have provided funding for those services listed above,
as well as $100,000 to<b> </b>meet current overtime costs, reducing the need for
reserve fund transfers which have been required on an annual basis. The Police
Department overtime budget has been under-funded for many years, resulting in a
loss of service delivery in terms of the number of police officers available on
any given shift. The middle level question ($5.656 million) would also have
provided an additional $4,000 for education and training. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u>Fire Current Proposal</u></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">The current proposal would restore services which
would be eliminated in the Board�s balanced budget proposal, in the amount of
$160,000. In the Fire Department, the proposed reduction would result in the
elimination of two firefighter/paramedic positions, the EMT-I program, one
dispatcher position, and firefighting supplies. Continued erosion in the Fire
Department staffing level will result in apparatus being taken out of service
more frequently.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u>Fire Previous Override Request and Demonstrated
Need</u></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">The $4.65 million dollar override question would
have provided funding for the services listed above, as well as an additional
$100,000 to improve the Department�s ability to adequately staff the
Department. The Fire Department overtime account has not increased since 1986,
resulting in a reduction in the number of staff on duty on any given day. The
reduction often results in equipment being placed out of service, and a
corresponding loss of service delivery and delayed response time. For many
years, the Fire Department has requested a reserve fund transfer to provide the
minimal level of coverage required. This question also included funding in the
amount of $3,500 for emergency medical supplies to make up losses due to
inflation. The $6.97 million question would have provided an additional
$30,000 to fully fund the overtime line item; and $10,000 to replace the Fire
Department copy machine. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><b> </b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><b>Maintenance of Public Ways</b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u>Current Proposal</u></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">The Department of Public Works has documented a
need for significant investment in the Town�s bridges, roads and sidewalks. The
current proposal would make incremental improvement in the condition of these
structures. Under the Board�s balanced budget proposal, other services of the
Department of Public Works, particularly the parks and field maintenance
services, will be <u>reduced</u> by $130,596.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">The current proposal for inclusion in an operating
override for the Department of Public Works is $150,000. When combined with the
$240,000 already included in the DPW operating budget, this proposal would
increase the street resurfacing portion of the roads program to $390,000. This
program is intended to improve the structural and surface integrity of the
Town�s network of accepted streets, including leveling, structural overlays,
utility adjustments, minor drainage improvements, and curbing. Many streets
have insufficient pavement thickness, are poorly shaped, lack curbing and
require drain improvements. The Town has approximately 125 linear miles of
road. Rough estimates for resurfacing are $72,000 - $75,000 per mile for
asphalt for roads that are considered below average condition, and $25,000 per
mile for stone chip seal. The Department will still eliminate three positions
from the Parks Division under this proposal.</font></p>
<h2 style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"><!--mstheme--><font color="#330099"><font face="Verdana" size="2">
<span style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none"> </span></font><!--mstheme--></font></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><u>Previous Operating Override and Demonstrated
Need </u></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">The operating override presented to the voters in
November, 2002 would have provided $1,313,730 at the lowest level ($4.65
million) for road maintenance. This funding included committing $1,000,000 in
annual funding for road and intersection improvements; $100,000 for street
resurfacing with asphalt or stone chip seal; $75,000 for sidewalk improvements
for school and non-school walking routes; $25,000 for the construction of
<span style="color:black"> disability access improvements at street corners;
$34,000 for one a</span>dditional public works employee to account for the
increased workload; $11,100 for additional overtime; $8,880 for outside services
and supply needs for the Engineering Division; $18,100 for the increased street
sweeping disposal costs resulting from new storm water management regulations;
$2,750 for State-mandated inspections for municipal vehicles; and $50,000 for
the creation of a position of Construction Inspector ($50,000) to oversee the
work of private contractors in the field. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">The middle level override ($5.656 million) on the
November, 2002 override would have provided health and safety education and
personal protective equipment for all divisions in the amount of $10,000 ($5,800
of which was allocated to the category of Bridges, Roads, and Sidewalks);
additional administrative assistance and expenses in support of Public Works in
the amount of $30,100 (of which $21,070 was allocated to this category); small
equipment replacement (such as curbing and paving equipment) in the amount of
$15,000; an additional $3,500 for business center sweeping and $15,000 for
Town-wide litter control; $25,000 for the installation of street signs in
accordance with new federal regulations; the second of two public works
employees identified as necessary to perform the work that will be funded
($32,950); an additional $25,000 for the disability access corners program
(approximately 10 corners per year); an additional $100,000 for the sidewalk
program, to bring the total to $175,000 (approximately 2,900 feet of sidewalks
with granite curbing); an additional $50 for street sweeping; and an additional
$160,000 for street resurfacing. The highest level question ($6.97 million)
would have provided $86,630 toward reducing the impact of inflation on materials
and supplies in support of the maintenance of public ways program, such as
asphalt. </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">As noted above, the Parks Division portion of the
Department of Public Works budget would be <u>reduced </u>by $130,596 under the
Board�s balanced budget proposal. That reduction will not be restored by this
operating override proposal. It should be noted that the operating override
proposal presented to the voters in November, 2002 would have <u>increased </u>
the budget for the maintenance of Municipal Parks and School Fields.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">The lowest override question on the November, 2002
ballot ($4.65 million) contained $550 to provide for increased electricity and
irrigation costs resulting from the on-going renovation of Cricket Field. The
middle level question ($5.656 million) included health and safety education and
personal protective equipment in the amount of $2,500; additional administrative
assistance and expenses in support of Public Works in the amount of $30,100, of
which $6,020 was allocated Municipal Parks and School Fields; an additional
$4,900 for supplies and services related to the maintenance and repair of the
fields and diamonds at the Broadmeadow and Eliot Schools; and an additional
$32,900 in overtime, supplies, and services to maintain the municipal parks and
School fields and diamonds in their current condition, with only minor and
emergency repairs. The highest question ($6.97 million) would have supported
increased staffing in the amount of $64,330 associated with the renovation of
the Broadmeadow and Eliot School grounds; and an additional $80 for additional
parks supplies and expenses.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2"><i>Office of the Town Administrator 4.3.03</i></font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
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