By JON BAKER

LINCOLN — Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond admitted prior to Monday night's Financial Town Meeting that he wasn't sure how taxpayers would react to — or address — the Budget Board's proposed numbers for Fiscal Year 2009-10.
On Tuesday afternoon, he stated he was thrilled at the ease of the decision-making process, despite the fact the town's budget had been sliced by approximately $2.5 million.

It was just about 9 p.m., less than 85 minutes after the event's start, that a packed high school auditorium voted to pass the $47.2 million school budget (about $1.5 million less than FY 2008-09). About 20 minutes later, residents chose to OK the municipal budget of $16.6 million, Almond said.
“The entire budget was passed as recommended, and I was pleased with a great voter turnout,” he stated. “It was nice to see that the residents felt that what we presented was responsible. The people who voted were very supportive of the budget as presented, and that offered a very uneventful FTM.
“I think we did a solid job of using our media outlets to present the information to the public, and the importance of attending the meeting,” he added. “Actually, it ended at about 9:25 p.m., and I think there were pleased. I'm grateful they all came out. We had a lot of important decisions to make … I believe, when everyone voted, they realized the work the Budget Board had done – that they had completed their homework — and people supported it overwhelmingly.
“I mean, the votes were extremely one-sided; we never had to leave a 'voice' vote. There was never a challenge. You have to look at the whole picture, and that is we never had to go to a 'hand' vote. Nothing was really contested.”
What that means for homeowners is this: A 66-cent increase in taxes per thousand, from $16.88 to $17.54; and, for commercial/business owners, a hike of 82 cents, from $21.12 to $21.94.
“It could have been a very contentious meeting, like last year, if people didn't believe we were doing our best to control this budget,” Almond offered. “I think people realize the grave nature of the situation we're in, and how bad things are, because of the daily news. On the local level, town officials understand that, and must respond to that.”
He also noted that dozens of line items on the municipal side of the budget were reduced, as it was cut by nearly $301,000 (the school budget dropped by about $1.1 million). Those major municipal “slices” included the Town Administrator's office/agency ($1,362 from the previous fiscal year); personnel ($12,715); the Town Clerk's office ($12,929); the Finance Department ($6,092); Information Technologies ($23,813); Animal Control ($7,859); Rescue ($1,803); Public Works/Engineering ($18,851); Public Works/Code Enforcement ($3,095); and Parks & Recreation ($7,795).
Few departments garnered increases, though public safety/police rose by $124,494, due mostly to pension plans.
Almond mentioned the school budget, as presented by the Budget Board, didn't include pay raises for educators. School Superintendent Georgia Fortunato said in a newsletter handed out to taxpayers Monday night that the School Committee will meet next week, if a wage freeze for the fiscal year is accepted, to decide how to spend $717,000 in wage-freeze dollars.
“I was very happy with the way things went,” Almond stated, referring to the FTM. “We're having really difficult economic times statewide and locally. I gave my recommendation to the Budget Board, and those people on that board made some small changes to it. It's a good feeling that the voters supported it so convincingly.
“I'm hopeful it's a sign that the residents have confidence in the way we're handling this fiscal crisis,” he continued. “I mean, we're working for the people. It was a lot easier than last year; then again, it wasn't an election year.”