Plainville "shaking the sofa cushions" to trim deficit

PLAINVILLE

Town Administrator Joseph Fernandes says the budget deficit for next year now stands at about $60,000, down from the $664,000 gap that had been projected in recent weeks.

Town officials have narrowed the gap by trimming departmental budgets, asking some employees to forgo raises, and using funds that would normally be saved for future use.

"That’s good news, I guess, but it’s not happy news," Fernandes said of the smaller gap. "It’s literally shaking the sofa cushions."

The remaining deficit will be paid for out of the town’s stabilization, or "rainy day", fund, Fernandes said. Town Meeting began Monday, but but officials plan to postpone discussion of the budget articles until June 11.

-– Calvin Hennick