Why Athol's Town Manager Says THIS Election Could Change Everything—Don't Miss the Shocking Details!

In a recent meeting with the Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee, Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski presented two critical Proposition 2½ override questions slated for the April 6 Town Election ballot. The first proposal seeks to raise $2.9 million, while the second aims for an override of $1.8 million. These financial measures are designed to maintain the quality of municipal services in Athol, estimated to require a budget of just over $29 million for the upcoming fiscal year.

During the March 10 meeting, Suhoski explained that the proposed budget is still subject to change, as four out of five collective bargaining agreements and eight out of thirteen non-union contracts are set to expire on June 30. He noted that, while tentative agreements have been reached on three of the union contracts, the current figures reflect the town's best estimates. “There are a couple of assumptions in these numbers,” he stated. “There’s an assumption on wages, although we hope the numbers here are what we hope are close to what will be ratified.”

Additionally, Suhoski highlighted that the anticipated cost for employee health insurance is projected to increase by around 15% in FY27 compared to the current fiscal year. Increases are also expected for retirement and other post-employment benefits. The bottom line remains concerning, as projected revenues to support the proposed budget amount to just over $27.3 million, resulting in an estimated deficit of $1.7 million.

To address this shortfall and to maintain all municipal services without staff cuts, Suhoski emphasized that a $1.8 million override would be necessary. He believes this amount would effectively sustain the town for the next three years, after which either service cuts or another override would need consideration. “An override is a permanent increase to the property tax levy,” Suhoski explained, indicating that if the override passes, residents will see an increase reflected in their tax bills next January.

On the other hand, the larger $2.9 million override not only aims to maintain existing services but also provides the means to hire three or four additional employees deemed important for the town's operations. Suhoski pointed out the necessity for a facilities manager to oversee more than 75,000 square feet of town-owned buildings, which include the Town Hall, library, police and fire stations, and wastewater treatment plant. This role requires expertise in systems such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing.

Furthermore, the larger override would allow for hiring a technology director and a human resources (HR) director. “We’re now using vendor services for IT,” he said, “which is fine for the four hours a week the vendor is here in town, but it’s not fine for the departments we have that are operating 24/7, like police, fire, and DPW.” Suhoski added that the HR landscape is evolving rapidly, necessitating a specialized professional who can navigate new regulations, including the Wage Equity Act and paid family medical leave.

Ken Duffy, chair of the Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee, clarified that the committee would not be making a recommendation on how voters should cast their ballots for either override question. “The election is coming before these overrides are considered by the Town Meeting, which is where we usually come in,” he stated. He noted that if both override questions are defeated, the committee's stance would become irrelevant, but they could still make recommendations at the Town Meeting based on the voters' actions.

The decisions made by Athol voters on April 6 will have significant implications for the town's future. As the community grapples with budgetary challenges, the outcome of these measures could determine not just the level of services available but also the town's capacity to respond to ongoing and future needs.