Attleboro City Council passes controversial budget

June 24, 2016 6:28 pm

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

ATTLEBORO, MASS. – Dozens of layoffs are on the horizon in Attleboro, as city councilors push forward a $123-million budget for next fiscal year.

Councilors freed up nearly $260,000 from the budget. Around 50 school employees are set to be laid off, following recent protests from parents, teachers and students. The layoffs, along with other budget cuts, will bring the district’s $4-million deficit to roughly $1.1-million.

The city council president telling ABC6 News that the fight isn’t over. "There’s going to be ongoing efforts to try to close that gap," Frank Cook said.

In a unique move, four councilors moved to donate roughly $11,500 from their salaries to the cause, though it will be up to the mayor to decide whether that money will go to the schools, since it’s coming from the general fund.

The mayor couldn’t be reached for comment upon repeated attempts Friday.

"I’m happy maybe we’ve taken the first baby step to get to the fact that Attleboro respects education," said Councilor-At-Large Richard Conti.

Six city positions were also eliminated to close the $2-million dollar gap at city hall.

Conti is critical of the budget, feeling more money should have been moved from the city to try to help the schools, but says union contracts got in the way. "People are going to have to understand: you can’t get a four-percent raise working for municipal government…not in this economy," he said.

The School Committee sent ABC6 News a statement: “It has been uplifting to see the overwhelming public support for the schools throughout this difficult budget process. The schools are thankful for that support including the actions of the city council last night to attempt to provide additional funds for the schools. We are hopeful the additional funds freed up last night will be allocated to the schools, but we are prepared to move forward with a successful year either way.”