Middleborough may join the list

After trying to balance large budgets with short money for the last several weeks, Middleborough selectmen have added the town to the long list of communities that may have to rely on tax increases to solve their financial woes.

The board voted to put two operational packages for the upcoming year before voters at the May 21 Annual Town Meeting. The first budget would be based on available revenue, while the second would require a total of about $3.4 million in tax increases.

To balance the budget with available revenue, cuts of more than 30 percent would have to be made to the public library, Council on Aging and Park Department. The result would be fewer hours of business and possible loss of certification for the library, the elimination of congregate meals and a shuttle bus for seniors, and closure of the town pool this summer.

Reductions would also prevent the fire chief from filling two openings on his staff, and short the school by about $2.8 million below what administrators say is a levelservice budget.

The second budget voters will consider at the May 21 town meeting will be contingent on a series of overrides. The contingency amounts would also have to win approval at a special election slated for June 2.

Voters that day will be presented with a menu asked for $195,000 for the public library, $180,000 for the Council on Aging, and $106,700 for the Park Department, $102,000 for the Fire Department and as much as $2.8 million for the schools.

-- Chris Wallgren