Put in place after the successful $6 million operating override in
June 2005, the plan calls for no overrides until after 2010 and limits
on various costs. For details, see the budget message in the plan.

Gilligan, Tosti and Charles Foskett, chairman of the Capital Planning
Committee, all said how well the current plan, now 2½ years old, is
working. Gilligan said the plan has helped the rating on Arlington's
bonds. "Some fight to get our bonds," he said, adding the town has an
"incredible reputation" for financial management.

The plan that appears to be working now faces a number of future
pressures, officials said.

Sullivan pointed to a spreadsheet showing town and school budgets
under the current plan. For a Power Point presentation showing
spreadsheets from the summit, see the file at this link >>

They show relative stability through 2010, though Sullivan said the
town faces higher energy and healthcare costs. The school administration

faces a $700,000 deficit for the next fiscal year.

School Committee Chair Sue Sheffler said the increase assumes keeping
services the same, adding no programs or staff and dealing with a 5%
growth in special-education spending.


Beyond 2011, Levenson called "very scary." The spreadsheet for that
five-year period on the school side indicates a $1 million shortfall
in fiscal 2011, rising to $4 million the next year.

Taking into account the total town and school budgets, the forecasts are: