This proposed $480 million city operating budget was put together in a tumultuous time of financial flux.
Here’s a detailed story by Annie Sandoli on the Patch and here’s the budget itself
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“Tumultuous time of financial flux”
Yea, mayor fuller pushed for the largest single expense, NPS teacher salaries, to increase at an unsustainable rate in the last negotiation. She caused the financial flux. Teachers deserve to be paid, prob more than they are, but she should have budgeted for the increases which we knew were coming. To now be surprised or unprepared is so inappropriate.
Failure.
The “financial flux” I was talking about were the Covid related ones – reduced taxes/fees, increased costs, federal ARPA funds – i.e. this was not a normal budget year.
What do you mean reduced taxes? From sales tax?
Maybe we shouldnt have forced such harsh restrictions on our businesses during covid!
Maybe we shouldnt have agreed to an unsustainable growth in expenses.
Maybe we should be using every penny of ARPA dollars to fund our shortfalls.
Failure on many fronts by our leaders. And when they ask us for an override the answer will be a clear no. Why would our residents vote to raise taxes to make up for obvious mistakes. Unless the city is willing to cut back on expenses, and not teachers, no way we pass a bullsh!t override.
What would your solution be Jerry, and pretend an override is not an option. What would you cut?
So next year we have:
1) no ARPA
3) scheduled increase in OPEB / Pension contributions
4) ~ 4.5% employment cost increase at NPS that is contractual
If revenues increase at 3.5% (which is pretty consistent), we will have a shortfall that is north of $10 million.
Maybe a more appropriate question Frank would be what would you cut?
Sell webster woods back to BC. Thats 15 million dollars.
Cut DEI consultants until we can afford them. math teachers are more important
Cut everything that is t directly related to education and cut everything related to woke bullsh!t. We need to get back to our roots in education. We are failing the kids.
Also, fire henry turner. We shouldnt be paying him to get a book deal while NNHS is sinking in the rankings like an anchor.
Now your turn, what would you cut?
The idiocy of buying Webster Woods and antagonizing a neighbor was pretty breathtaking. Obviously BC will need some space for expansion. A dealing was assuredly there to keep most of the woods open space for free in exchange for some scope to build.
Is this a BC web brigade post? Something similar to the RussianBots disinformation campaigns. I’ve never met anyone whose wanted to give Webster Woods back or BC to expand in Newton.
Why are you advocating for the expansion of a tax-exempt non-profit? It won’t help our tax base. All very strange.
BC bought the land fair and square. Setti Warren let them buy it.
Calling on eminent domain was ridiculous. Bad form.
We should embrace the fact that we have such a great University in our city, not be enemies with them. The behavior from our leaders toward the school is terrible.
Hey can we get back the $500k we spent on NEWCAL architecture when we didn’t even have a site for it or money to build it?
Can we get back the $1.5M spend to fix the steeple of a private church and fix the kids’ fields with it?
Can we send invoices to the Mayors, City Councilors, and School Committee members that presided over the major fiascos that led us to this point???????
I only wish there were some alternative source of revenue the city could use to help pay its bills. If one were put on the ballot, I’m sure a majority of Newton residents would vote for it. And certainly Newton’s elected officials would be absolute fools to not pursue it with vigor…. LOL
Sell webster woods back to bc and i will support an override,
Fire henry turner and i will support an override.
Reinstate Columbus day and i will support an override. You insulted Italians by creTing a second, yes a second, indig peoples day (Friday after tgiving).
Fix the budget and i will support an override (this means balance the budget first, override for the future).
NPS school enrollment peaked in 2017 at 12,750 students. It’s now down to 11,810. In 5 years it projects to be down to 11,307 with the HS pops still dropping from the 2015-2017 elementary bubble making its way through HS. This was not a result of Covid. This is not a result of the stature of NPS. This has been discussed as a train coming for a decade. School enrollment was dropping around the world ten years ago. Newton and a few other cities and towns in Massachusetts were buffered for a few years because of how great out school system is, and other socioeconomic factors. The global trend caught up to Newton in 2018 when ES pops started to decline. People are having less children. It’s a fact that is happening around the globe, and experts don’t see it ever changing. In some countries it’s so serious that they are incentivising having more children. So NPS enrollment is down 7.3% and projects to be down 11.3% over the next 5 years. In 2019, a 4-year contract was struck with the teachers union. It was what I would call a corrective contract. It aligned the pay scale with where we wanted to be as a city to attract and retain quality teachers. I have to imagine it was done so with the understanding that with declining enrollment, attrition would help avoid budget pressures down the road. The only issue would be if NPS didn’t use attrition to help avoid a future structural deficit. In 2019, there were 2,093.1 FTE. Proposed in 2023 there are 2123.8 FTE. This represents a 1.5% increase in FTE while there was a corresponding 7.3% reduction in student enrollment. Admittedly, I have not dug into which FTE’s are within the union, and which are not. There could be great reasons for keeping some of these positions. However, when enrollment declines and projects to continue to decline for the foreseeable future, one would think that there would be a corresponding decline in the FTE. Even if you assume that half of the people leaving or retiring each year could have been positions that were frozen or eliminated, this would have generated some serious savings to help avoid the structural deficit. If Public Works had 10% less roads, sidewalks, and infrastructure to maintain, would you not expect some impact to their resource needs? If Parks and Rec had 10% less parks to maintain, would you not expect some corresponding change to their budget? Maybe we as a community want to do more for less students. What I mean by that is that maybe now that enrollment is declining, we want to spend more money on a smaller student population to really reestablish ourselves as a top performing district. I think the 2019 teacher contract had this approach in mind. My ultimate point here, is that NPS could have avoided or at least softened this issue if they had wanted to. The Mayor realistically has limited control over how they spend their money. Throwing one-time money at a longterm issue that could have been avoided, without a plan to address the longterm issue, is bad financing.
After 39 years working within the public sector (e.g., government) in various capacities in two States, as well as actively working within the private sector (e.g., nonprofit organizations) since 1986, and as a former homeowner, I have witnessed firsthand myriad messes that resulted in failures of fiscal restraint or ignorance or inept elective public servants making poor judgements relating to budgets.
*A nonprofit agency or organization that uniquely is poised to serve all manner of people in a vast array of services or events must STRICLY adhere to solid financial operations. Nonprofits function largely on grants and donations via fundraising events and also investments. They can only thrive not merely survive as all sources of funding streams the directors seek are challenging, scarce, and finite. Even that multi-million-dollar gift by wealthy donors must be placed in interest-bearing financial vehicles that could last decades or in perpetuity. And all that is derived, too, by moral stewardship, ethical habits, attentive and engaged boards of directors. Unlike a reliance on a steady stream of funds from taxpayers, nonprofits employ some of the most savvy and creative people whose sole purpose is to haul home vital funding to continue the mission of the organization.
Similarly, government entities should harbor that action as nonprofits do. Unfortunately, that rarely happens. Some for logical reasons because of the nature of the beast that is politics. Some because government is daily in a state of flux. Yet staring fiscal storms in the face doesn’t need to happen as often as it does:
*Rid the fleet of City-owned vehicles used by City officials. That alone is a fiscal largesse that chews away at budgets and increases costs over years. Simply pay mileage to City officials requiring vehicles to conduct their respective jobs about the city.
*Hire a creative fiscal management wonk who finds ways to bring revenue into City coffers WITHOUT raising taxes.
*Where is a ‘Rainy Day Fund’ in City government? Interest earned on set-aside funds ADDS revenue. Let such a fund DO the work.
*Prepare to regularly train and/or respond expeditiously to City staff so they understand their rightful roles within the various City departments to, ultimately, ensure all staff are respected, treated properly, and possess knowledge about State and Federal Human Rights Laws. Moreover, enforce State and Federal Human Rights Laws. For example, avoiding sexual harassment complaints or human rights or civil rights violations that has cost the City millions of dollars is unacceptable on many levels. No person should fear going to a safe, welcoming workplace. And no citizen should fear getting about the larger community as police training is known across America to avert wrongful arrests.
*Sell archaic City-owned buildings or properties unused years ago. Then set aside the monetary gain into that Rainy Day Fund. It’ll just keep growing without raising taxes!
*Sue the MBTA for daily violating the Federal decree of the Americans with Disabilities for ignoring numerous and years-long warnings from advocates and citizens alike that Newton’s three Commuter Rail Stations are inaccessible to persons with disabilities. As such, the MBTA is nearly 22 years behind meeting the Congressional mandate! Why do advocates largely comprised of persons with disabilities MORE SUCCESSFUL in bringing multi-million-dollar lawsuits that win rightful results than are elective public servants who are in positions of power and authority?! Learn from the advocates how most effectively craft a lawsuit and win. The 2006 $350 million dollar MBTA/BCIL Settlement was initiated by six persons with disabilities. Last October, another individual (the retired ADA Coordinator in Cambridge) hauled Boston officials into court — both parties hashed out a $25 million dollar “consent decree” to build curb cuts on all Boston streets!
In fact, the upgrades/updates of the last 16 years throughout the vast T masstransit system is directly because of the MBTA/BCIL Settlement!
*Retain certain individuals serving on various Committees and Commissions whose volunteerism — some for decades — has SAVED the City millions of dollars and/or prospective lawsuits by State or Federal agencies. As Co-Chair for 12 years of the Commission On Disability, for example, along with my friend and colleague and fellow Co-Chair who served 12 years in that capacity (26 years altogether as member) too, continuously reminded Mayor Setti Warren that each day the City was in peril by not employing a full-time ADA/Section 504 Coordinator. Had a person(s) filed a complaint with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, federal authorities would have swooped into Newton to shut down its CDBG funding! Feds would audit projects in progress and projects pending. Jobs would be immediately halted for months or more. A worst-case scenario! That bleak situation occurred in Brookline. Yet because my and fellow Co-Chair continuously working with Mayor Warren — even as we received pushback by certain high-level City staffers opposed to hiring a fulltime ADA/Section 504 Coordinator — we prevailed in our duties and obligations as Co-Chairs. Mayor Warren convened a special meeting with Legal and Planning and certain high-level City officials to discuss actively creating a committee to hire the most qualified person for that vital position. Less than one year later, a full-time ADA/Section 504 Coordinator got hired! Potential crisis averted. Good governing en vogue!
*Responsive, receptive governing must daily happen. Cooperation, not confrontation ought to be the mantra from the Mayor to City Councilors to City staffers. Without such an edict, failures will ensue, poor judgements made, inept actions shall stifle anticipated successes. Due diligence ignored creates disorder, and ultimately moving forward on behalf of the citizens who rightly expect no less. Time to get busy!
Excellent comments Girard. I know you’ve worked hard for decades and it must be highly frustrating to see results come slowly. Keep on keeping’ on, you’re a true asset to the city!
I know, we can form a blue ribbon commission!!!!
Short on funds ? Do what we all do. Cut your budget. Sell , get rid of things that cost or you can sell and live without. Tighten your belt and don’t spend foolishly. And spread the pain.
– Right call on Webster Woods. Can’t afford it now. And it was an extravagant gesture to begin with.
– Take a harder look at the school budget. Does it really need to grow EVERY year ?
– Enough with the new public works vehicles. I don’t mind seeing a little rust on older vehicles for a few years. As long as they’re safe.
– For thirty years there’s been talk of doing without the Newton Corner fire house. That’s a painful choice. But take a look.
– How about a staffing study for the Police ? Another painful one.
– How many City Councilors do we have ? How many does a major city like Boston have ?
– What’s it going to cost to revamp that $1 West Newton armory to affordable housing ?
– We’re not still thinking about an outdoor performing arts pavilion at the public park in Newton Center are we ?
– Any excess property we can get started with selling ? The Police Annex on Chestnut St. The property on Dudley Rd. Parks and Rec. yard in Auburndale
Good time to make some hard choices.
So nobody has any real answers to these problems beyond the fantastical, comical, minuscule, never going to happen, or that will cost more in the long run. Not surprising.
Appetite for an override amongst the 30% senior population on fixed income being ravaged by inflation is likely zero
How about a “high density” tax on developers who build more than 4 units per lot?
Let’s not get too cynical, Ted. While most of the “solutions” proposed on this thread are in fact ridiculous, there are very real answers to Newton’s fiscal problems. Problems that are no different by the way from those faced by practically every other municipality in Massachusetts. Newton has an advantage, because we are an extraordinarily wealthy community, both monetarily and intellectually. But genuine solutions require out-of-the-box thinking combined with leadership. Unfortunately those are two attributes in short supply among Newton’s elected officials.
Well said. But to start, i like the idea of selling city assets.
And what about being creative. People hate the overnight parking ban in the winter right? What about a new winter permit policy. 100/month fee for the entire period, allows you to park on the street and you are still subject to moving your car for snow removal. If this period is 3 months, thats 300 per car. If 5000 cars apply thats 1.5 million per year in revenue.
I also love the “developer tax” for all new construction over 4 units on a single plot. Perhaps it is something small but impactful. 200 per unit over 4 units, 500 over 100 units. Like the tax code, phases in at different break points. If northland ends up at 800 units, the developer would be required to pay ~460K to build. Or something like that. Seems logical.
Or we can legalize sports betting. Whatever gets it done without an override that taxes the little guy more than the big guys.
Pay-to-park winter parking is creative, but kind of sticks the people who are likely on the lower end of the income scale (the ones without driveways) with what they have always called the tickets: “revenue enhancement”.
I think enforcement was down this past winter (we accidentally left our car on the street a couple times and didn’t get tickets, where in the past we did), and the year before there was no ban, but previously I suspect the money from tickets was pretty good. You’d need to subtract that from your planned windfall.
Finally, and I may be wrong, I thought that state law prevents the city from making more on permits than it takes to administer them. Someone more knowledgeable than I might know better.
Maybe there could be a sliding scale or a financial aid application process?
For us newer residents, is an override a flat amount per property owner, based on property valuation, or some other instrument? Thank you.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/proposition-2-12-and-tax-rate-process
Even the suggestion of an override is like Kyrie Irving saying (the Nets) do not need a head coach. #ridiculous #swept
Right, so the structural nature of the OPEB contribution table and the contractual obligation to NTA will simply lead to a reduction in quality of life in our city year after year until the pain and humiliation of it is so severe that we all agree to an override to make it stop.
Do you see another way Matt?
We’re far from a failed quality of life; one filled with pain and humiliating Patrick. Rome didn’t fall in a day and neither will Newton.
Hopefully when the next election cycles come around, we’ll see candidates focused in finding cost efficiencies while attracting more business revenue (i.e. Needham). Candidates more focused on digging out of this fiscal hole than who is a greater green advocate; the bigger affordable housing champion or who’s more equitable.
Candidates who if elected, will rein in the Mayor’s spending spree on frivolous consultants and initiatives (like the Police Reform group that included not a single Asian person despite accounting for the second largest demographic in Newton), and let’s not forget Webster Woods.
An override will not come easy.
Matt, I do not disagree with your political hopes.
However, I don’t think it is possible that political change can happen fast enough. As Hemingway said, there are two ways to go bankrupt, gradually and then suddenly. The gradually part has been happening over the last decade plus. People in Newton unfortunately pay very little attention and their sense of municipal finance is usually mostly influenced by what their real estate agent told them.
Based on the factors in my earlier post, I think we will have to cut ~ 100 FTEs next spring, with 50-80 more each year until 2030. That is the size of our problem. It doesn’t take many years of cuts like that to make a material impact on our lives, particularly if school age children are involved.
I don’t like paying taxes any more than anyone else, but it is now the cost of a decade plus of failed governance.
Bear with me on this analogy..
but support of super dense projects – while favored by progressives – is a bad fiscal propositon. By cramming more people into a smaller space, there is a higher ratio of those consuming city services, than the tax revenue generation needed to support them. This policy also replaces higher rate business tax revenue opportunity with lower rate residential tax revenue. Imagine if Northland remained business zoned? While Needham builds left and right, our Mayor hangs her hat on Bright Horizons as her commercial tenant crowning achievement.
Add to that agreeing to Union contracts include annual increases greater than tax revenues can cover, heavy investments in low ROI consultants, not to mention “nice to have”, but far from critical acquisItions like Webster woods and I can easily see your pathway to bankruptcy, Patrick!
Where we diverge in opinion is that I do not believe an override is not the only course of action. Nor should it be the first course of action. Instead, we need to stop betting on density, so we can rebalance the ratio of tax revenue generation vs consumption of city services. Stop spending on fanciful initiatives that border on the frivolous. Negotiate contracts with the tax payers in mind and not just Union presidents or media headlines. Put fiscal management and financual pragmatism, back on top of the list of priorities!
These mitigation strategies ultimately may not be enough, but I’ll be damned if I’ll support any override, without seeing some concerted efforts toward sound, prioritized, fiscal strategies put into place first. Anything less is like giving your kids more blank pages of a check book.
Overrides are never easy, and they shouldn’t be. The need for an override, in a vacuum, doesn’t indicate a municipal governance failure (there may be other things that indicate that). They’re an intentional outcome of statewide limits on property tax increases. Personally I like elected officials having to make the case to voters every so often for why budgets should increase, rather than have tax increases on autopilot with little accountability. It’s healthy.
Elimination of SALT deduction is another headwind. Overides were probably an easier sell when the Feds were subsidizing 1/3 of the cost.
Really excellent point.
Mike Halle –
Newton’s residents comprise health care staffers for thousands of people aging and with disabilities. Some or most or all require caregivers to work overnight shifts as well as various morning/afternoon/evening shifts. Most caregivers use vehicles to show up. And overnight shifts these caregivers must park onstreet where a parking lot or driveway is not available. So, that factor will never go away. City officials — police mostly — need to recognize that reality. I know Traffic Control patrolling streets during their weekday duties ticket caregivers at a residence or apartment for 15 minutes or hours get tickets. So, Traffic Control staffers have cooperated and instructed the caregivers who will be working hours to place a note on the dashboard or in window informing them so they’ll pass by without ticketing. Therein is a solution to onstreet parking year round during days and overnights from November 1 to April 1.