At last January's financial summit, Arlington officials and leaders held sway. At the June 14 session, some ordinary taxpayers had their turn. In Town Hall auditorium, about 80 people spread out among 13 tables, each with a facilitator. The evening's ultimate aim: Make suggestions about how to deal with town deficits, expected by 2011 and forecast to increase significantly thereafter.

---

---

 

“The five-year plan is working,” Town Manager Brian Sullivan said, referring to the guides for spending began 2005.

 

---

Five-year plan guidelines:

• No general override for five years (fiscal 2006 through 2010).
• Healthcare increases capped at 4 percent.
• Pension costs capped at 4 percent.
•  Town and school operating budget capped at 4 percent (decreased if health insurance costs exceed 7 percent).
• Reserves maintained at 5 percent of budget.

  ---

But, as he worked through the spreadsheet projected on a screen, it was clear that deficits loom beginning in fiscal 2011. Forecast numbers range from a $3.6 million shortfall that year to $12.7 million by 2015.

A key problem? As Sullivan and school Superintendent Nate Levenson explained, Arlington has a current structural deficit of $1,850,000 a year.