FinCom passes Hawke’s request for funds

$111,000 to be withdrawn from stabilization account By Owen Boss GARDNER — The Finance committee voted Thursday in favor of Mayor Mark Hawke’s proposal to take money out of the town’s stabilization funds to cover costs for fiscal 2008. According to Mr. Hawke, the city does not have enough money in its operating budget to cover the increases in energy and utility bills across the city, and the funds are needed to support the local community. The proposed recipients of the $111,000 to be withdrawn from the town’s stabilization funds include the Greenwood pool, which is recommended to receive $12,000 to cover the energy and utility shortfall. The council also voted in favor of using the money to fund the municipal garage an additional $60,000 for vehicle supplies. The Gardner Police Department and Veterans Services also stood to benefit from fund distribution. The majority of the money requested by the finance committee was needed to assist with energy prices, which have been steadily rising over the past several months. The acquisition of the stabilization funds from the city’s savings account was strongly supported by Council President Neil W. Janssens and Councilor Ronald F. Cormier, who noted that although they voted to put the money into the account, recent shortfalls in the city’s budget have caused them to rethink that decision. Councilor Kim Dembrosky was adamantly opposed to the removal of $111,000 and suggested that the amount be reduced to $61,000 in order to leave enough money in case of a financial emergency. Ms. Dembrosky believes the stabilization fund is more important now than ever because with the struggling local and national economy she “expects a lot of rougher times ahead.” One of the main reasons for the necessary additional funds was the record-setting costs for snow and ice removal this past winter. With the combination of increased energy prices and the high amount of snowfall, the budget for removing the snow was higher than ever. “It was a debilitating winter,” said Mr. Hawke, and the finance committee voted unanimously to accept the provisions of Chapter 44, Section 31 D “Snow and Ice Removal, Emergency Expenditures,” not to exceed an additional $110,000. oboss@thegardnernews.com Appeared on Page 1 on 4/5/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 82)