Budget for '08: trims at the edges

Volunteers who drive seniors to community activities would no longer receive mileage reimbursements, parks and recreation fees would rise by a dollar, and library hours would be cut under Natick's proposed budget for the next fiscal year.

Voters would still be asked to approve a Proposition 2 1/2 override to fund the school district's request for an 8 percent increase in its spending, Town Administrator Phil Lemnios told the Board of Selectmen Monday.

None of this should come as a surprise, according to Lemnios, who was presenting his final executive budget before his planned return to serve as Hull's town manager, the job he held before becoming Natick's top administrator. "The message has been communicated for three years now that this is coming," he said.

The $109.3 million plan for fiscal year 2008, which starts July 1, is $157,000 leaner than last year's budget. It calls for a $2.1 million tax increase and exhausting all of the town's $4.13 million in free cash. If the override passes, it would be used to boost the school system's budget increase from 3 percent to 8 percent.

Town officials are projecting a 3.25 percent increase in state aid for next year, but Lemnios said that the expected $340,000 raise still remains shy of 2002 levels. Also, town officials said they worry even that amount could decrease as Governor Deval Patrick prepares to release his proposed budget.

"My concern is they fund the billion-dollar deficit by cutting school aid, regular state aid, or lottery aid," said Charles Hughes, chairman of Natick's Board of Selectmen.

Numerous town departments, and residents affected by their services, would feel the effects of the town's tight finances, which officials say are under stress from rising health insurance and pension costs.

Overtime pay for firefighters and police officers would be cut by a combined $25,000. Funding for mowing and maintenance at fields and parks would fall by a third.

Library patrons who turn in books late would face increased fees and fines. And the Morse Institute Library would be open for three hours instead of four on Sundays.

Lemnios said 2008 could be the last fiscal year in which the town can afford to balance the budget without seeking a substantial tax increase or cutting services more dramatically than the modest proposals presented in his plan.

He said that for several years town departments have been strapped for money.

"It is not reasonable to expect some of our large departments to continue operating right on that trip wire for any length of time," he said.

The selectmen plan to meet with the School Committee this month to discuss its spending request, and decide whether to endorse the school district's proposal to seek an override.

John C. Drake can be reached at 508-820-4229 or jdrake@globe.com.