Athol Selectboard votes in favor of deficit-reducing budget, despite opposition

ATHOL – An attempt by Selectboard member Mitch Grosky to save the position of assistant town planner did not succeed, as the board approved the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, which includes cuts to vacant and filled positions.

The $28.2 million budget, discussed at the board’s May 19 meeting, includes a plan to eliminate a $1.75 million deficit over the next two fiscal years. An attempt was made to pass two Proposition 2 ½ overrides to cover this gap, but both were defeated at the recent town election.

The budget will be decided on at the June 8 Town Meeting.

The plan for the deficit calls for allowing four unfilled full-time positions to remain empty, and the elimination of four and a half staffed positions at town hall, the public library, and the Department of Public Works. This includes the position of assistant town planner, now held by Heidi Murphy.

“This is not a budget I’m proud to present,” Town Manager Shaun Suhoski told the board. “This has been a tough one, but it’s necessary. But it allows boards and committees and the community more time to determine where the next rounds of cuts (in FY28) will come from.”

Grosky told Suhoski how much he appreciated the work done on this budget, describing it as a “thankless job” that the town manager has done well. He followed this by asking his fellow board members to reconsider the budget and restore the assistant town planner position.

“This is not just a staffing decision; it is a financial decision with important and measurable consequences for the town,” said Grosky.

He explained that Murphy has held the position for the past three and a half years, and during that time has secured over $500,000 in grant funding for various projects in Athol. Grosky said that the Planning Department has only two full-time positions and a part-time intern.

“Eliminating one of these positions would substantially weaken the town’s ability to pursue outside funding, economic development opportunities and revitalization initiatives,” he said.

Grosky then listed the programs and capital improvements made possible through the grants secured by Murphy.

“I agree with some of what you’re saying,” said board Vice Chair Marc Maxwell. “My opinion is we just take the budget as it sits and pass it on to the Town Meeting. It’s really up to the townspeople to decide what the budget is. Anybody can stand up and challenge any part of it and ask for an amendment.”

Board member Russell Raymond added, “We did have an override vote that did fail. It’s a simple fact we now don’t have the funds to pay for what we were going to pay for. I think we’re trying to minimize the cuts we need to make, but I think we need to spread the hurt to every department.”

“We need to make cuts, and they’re not going to be easy or pleasant for anyone,” said board Chair Bill Chiasson. “Other people can also write grants, and to restore that position for this year – only to possibly have to remove it in FY28 – doesn’t make any sense to me.”

David Smart, chair of the Board of Planning and Community Development, told the board that the assistant planner is a critical part of the work they’ve done over the past 10 years.

“I think Eric Smith is a wonderful planner, but he’s horribly overworked much of the time,” Smart said. “He does need help.”

In addition to the position of assistant planner, Grosky also lobbied against any additional staff cuts at Athol Public Library. The library is already set to lose one full-time employee, but the number of part-timers that may face layoffs hasn’t yet been determined.

“I request we seriously reconsider, both now and in the future, any additional cuts to this department,” he said. “Our library is one of the few places in town that truly serves everyone. People rely on it every single day, often in ways we don’t always see.”

Despite his concerns regarding the budget, Grosky joined the other three board members present at the meeting in voting to support it as presented. The town’s Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee, with little discussion, also voted at its meeting on Wednesday, May 20, to recommend that Town Meeting support the budget.