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08/15/2017 12:00 AMNoting that the state budget may not be passed until the fall, Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., issued a memorandum to town department heads instituting a “purchasing and overtime freeze” on Aug. 7.
According to a press release, all non-emergency purchase orders and overtime will need direct and prior authorization from the Mayor’s Office, with the exception of bills relating to utilities, gasoline, fuel, and lease or rental payments.
Finance Director Paul Rizza elaborated on the freeze, stating that programs operating under state grants or capital programs will not be affected, and noting that the freeze is geared more toward discretionary spending, and “things you don’t have to do today.”
Asked if the Board of Education (BOE) would be affected by the freeze, Rizza said that Maturo contacted BOE Chairman John Finkle about the town’s plans, but since the BOE budget and its oversight is separate from the town government, Rizza said that the BOE would determine whether to enact a freeze on its side.
Rizza also said that raises for town employees won’t be affected as they’re already in place and contracts have been settled as of July 1. Rizza labeled the freeze as a precautionary move, and said that the town will reevaluate things once it definitely knows what the state is going to give it.
Maturo said in the release that the town has used spending freezes in the past to keep expenditures under control, but never had to impose a freeze this early in the fiscal year.
“We’re handcuffed right now because of the ongoing state budget crisis and the stalemate in passing a budget for the current year,” Maturo said, “As a result, we’re being prudent; limiting our spending, and bracing ourselves for potentially severely budget cuts.”
Maturo said the uncertainty of the state budget with potential reductions in funding was the reason for the freeze, and was disappointed that the state’s “budget crisis” may see the town dipping into its rainy day fund to close future funding gaps, especially if those gaps are substantial.
“We’re scrutinizing every line item to find savings and increase revenue to help bridge any future funding gaps,” Maturo said, “Although this is going to be a very challenging budget, we are prepared to do whatever is necessary to make it work.”
The freeze has already had effects on local life. Momauguin School PTO President Erika Santino Santiago said the school had raised funds for a new playground, which it wanted to have completed for the start of the school year. Santiago had approached Maturo earlier this year for help; he agreed to have the Department of Public Services install the donated playground equipment.
When Santino Santiago’s father, Town Council member Joseph Santino, checked the site on Aug. 8, Santino Santiago said the project foreman told him 200 bags of concrete would need to be purchased to finish the project, but that couldn’t be done because of the freeze.
After Santino reached out to East Haven Builders Supply and explained the situation, the company donated the rest of the cement needed, with a pallet arriving the morning of Aug. 9. Santino Santiago said Town Hall reached out and agreed to have Public Services to finish the playground.