New Shoreham technically started its fiscal year about two weeks ago, on July 1, but the town is operating on a municipal budget that was rolled over from last year. That will change when the town meets for its rescheduled Financial Town Meeting on July 27 at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Block Island School gymnasium at 7 p.m., and if there is an overflow crowd the school cafeteria will be opened up.
The budget, as approved by the Town Council, reflects a modest 1.8 percent increase over last year’s appropriation, coming in at $15,241,210. That total may or may not change when the vote is tallied on July 27.
Several line items are being level-funded, reduced, or de-funded. Capitol projects are also being scrapped, including any new monies for equipment or upgrades at the Harbors Department, Highways, the Fire Department, Recreation, police vehicles, and upgrades at Heinz Field.
Already, some town departments are seeking to have some funding restored. The members of the Fire Department met on Monday, July 13 and, according to Chief Kirk Littlefield, the department members felt that improvements to the Fire Barn were more essential than the broadband project.
