Where should the town focus money in FY2013?
In her presentation of the FY2013 town budget on Tuesday, Needham Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick told selectmen she remained "optimistic" about the upcoming budget year, with local revenues higher than anticipated and more free cash expected to be left over at the end of the current fiscal year. Though the budget discussion is still ongoing, and projections could change between now and the end of the fiscal year, let's assume there is some extra money to be used in Needham. Where would you like to see that money focused? Take our poll and leave your suggestions in the comments section below. And check back with Needham Patch for budget updates as the discussion continues.
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Needham Town Hall
1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA
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Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick offered an optimistic look Tuesday evening at the town's revenues for fiscal year 2013.
Forecast: sunny. Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick delivered a glass-half-full look at Needham’s fiscal year 2013 budget on Tuesday evening, saying that many of the town’s efforts to save and cut back over the past few difficult financial years had put Needham in a better place for the new year. “I think it’s the most optimist budget we’ve seen really in the last three years,” Fitzpatrick told selectmen at their meeting on Jan. 24. “While there are some hard choices to be made, there is definitely some room for optimism.” The proposed $125 million town budget is a 5 percent increase over FY2012 and includes matching most of the Needham Public Schools’ requested budget of $57.3 million. However, the proposed town budget does cut the number …
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Needham Town Hall
1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA
/articles/a-brighter-budget-year-for-needham
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Needham residents said they support the public schools' proposed FY2013 budget but could not support a rise in per-rider transportation costs.
Needham parents had a clear message for the School Committee at Tuesday’s budget hearing: If bus fees go up, their kids probably won’t be riding. With approximately 100 residents in attendance, those who spoke said they overwhelmingly supported the proposed 5.7 percent increase in the Needham Public Schools’ fiscal year 2013 budget, but one after another said they could not support a fee increase. Currently, Needham parents pay $370 per school bus rider, with a $750 family cap. There is an additional $50 late fee for families who don’t register children by the deadline. Though the fee has not increased since FY2008, it remains one of the highest in the state, according to district finance director Anne Gulati. In a message emailed to the …
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Hillside Elementary School
28 Glen Gary Rd, Needham, MA
/articles/parents-reject-bus-fee-increase
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Needham High School
609 Webster St, Needham Heights, MA
/articles/parents-reject-bus-fee-increase
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Pollard Middle School
200 Harris Ave, Needham, MA
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Broadmeadow Elementary School
120 Broad Meadow Rd, Needham, MA
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Catherine Kurkjian
12:23 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
Money should be focused to those most in need: 1) Seniors who live in fear of being forced out of their homes because they can no longer afford the exorbitant tax increases 2) Students in our schools who report that they are sad and hopeless. Tax relief for Seniors: From a purely financial stand point; according to blog, Needham New Construction is Hot. . ., a colonial (w/two children) replacing … more ›