Casino, pot concerns could lead to police, fire increases in Westport

Selectmen Chairman Shana Shufelt recommended the town honor this past fiscal year’s requests from both departments to add to their personnel

WESTPORT — It looks as though the police and fire departments respectively might add to their ranks next fiscal year.

Selectmen Chairman Shana Shufelt recommended the town honor this past fiscal year’s requests from both departments to add to their personnel. She indicated that local trends dictate a need for an emphasis on public safety.

This charge from Shufelt came during a recent discussion by selectmen on fiscal and other policies for the next fiscal year.

“We have the (Tiverton) casino that just opened up and we have marijuana establishments close to us,” Shufelt said, stressing the need for public safety personnel.

Selectmen also expressed sympathy toward the school budget and said the town should maintain the same percentage split that allocates funds almost evenly to both the school department and the rest of town government.

Selectwoman Ann Boxler, a former School Committee member, noted how the school department has been a victim to more state mandates, but with fewer state aid funds to accompany it.

For other potential policies, Town Administrator Timothy King stressed that the town stop underfunding the snow and ice removal budget. That budget can run at deficit, but King noted that the town typically spends between $200,000 to $250,000 per winter on snow and ice, giving town officials the opportunity to “reasonably plan” for this line item.

King also told selectmen that he does not foresee any major capital improvement projects for the next fiscal year, but he recommended using funds from the general treasury to help pay for it.

Shufelt, a former Finance Committee chairwoman, had some strong opinions on that topic.

She mentioned that this past fiscal year, the town nearly was in danger of not being able to use certified free cash.

Shufelt said the certified free cash was not certified until late and speaks to a larger issue that the town treasurer has been asked to research.

Shufelt indicated that capital improvement projects should come from certified free cash to free up general treasury funds.

“I am very concerned about the status of free cash,” Shufelt said. “Last year, certified free cash did not get certified until very late and we were in danger of not being able to use it or appropriate it at Town Meeting,” she said, adding, “It would be potentially devastating for us if we have to fund purchases through the general fund.

King said that he projects revenue next fiscal year to rise by $1.5 million, with solar farms helping that revenue jump.

However, he noted that the town will receive approximately $200,000 less from the state for Horseneck Beach, a state reservation within town borders.

State Sen. Michael Rodrigues fought against the move and helped delay that cut by one year.

The delay did not appear to alleviate the sour feelings from local officials.

“It is just amazing how the state can dictate to us what our property is worth,” Selectman Brian Valcourt said.