2013 budget plan unveiled

Town manager Paul Cohen has submitted his recommended budget for the next fiscal year to the Board of Selectmen. Under Cohen’s $107.2 million spending plan for fiscal 2013, which begins July 1, education, public safety, and the preservation of municipal facilities would be priorities. Cohen’s plan allocates $7.5 million for a new Center Fire Station, partially paid for with money saved from changes to the town’s municipal health insurance, and would fund two new police officer positions. The plan also earmarks some funding for a $3.6 million project to upgrade ventilation systems in five of the town’s public schools; Chelmsford has applied to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for reimbursement of roughly half the cost. The proposed budget includes a $2.3 million increase in spending over the current fiscal year, despite a $1.17 million decrease in state aid over the past five years, Cohen said. - Brenda J. Buote