To the editor:

On March 20 I watched the Warren Town Council budget workshop aware of the $8 million legal settlement the Town was obligated to pay over the next few years ($5 million has already been paid from the Town’s surplus). The Council members acknowledged there would be another Council meeting on March 27 at 6 p.m. to continue their deliberations.

As the workshop started the new Finance Director advised and Council and new Town Manager that significant budget items such as “worker’s comp. insurance” could rise as high as 16% and “health care” could increase “between 10 and 12%” so the data on the draft budget will change. Someone in the meeting interjected that the Town employees union had yet to negotiate a contract thereby rendering that salary line item unknown.

I watched as the meeting proceeded with across the board 2% raises for most all Department heads with the exception of the Senior Center Director, who was provided a 42% increase in pay. The rationale to fund this particular increase was a Trust account (Senior Center Account) which was explained, could be drawn down for the next two years, after which the Town of Warren will be fully responsible to fund this increased salary.

I wonder, given these budgetary practices, how will the Town’s surplus be rebuilt?

Thomas D. Gordon
Touisset Road