Local budget makers can now put state aid numbers in ink rather than pencil thanks to a joint House and Senate resolution solidifying local assistance payments for fiscal 2009.
The state aid figures in the resolution, approved by both branches late Monday, equal those released in Gov. Deval Patrick's version of the budget.
For cities and towns, the resolution, which increases local aid statewide by $223 million, is seen as good news in what has been a tough budget year.
Under the resolution, schools in Dedham will receive a $244,307 increase over fiscal 2008 levels to $3,935,816. Norwood schools will get a $649,114 increase to $5,183,560. Westwood will receive $4,732,394 in aid this year, $475,084 more than last year's sum of $4,257,310. Walpole will get $10.6 million, including a 15.8 percent increase in educational aid as well as an additional $303,830 in lottery aid.
The joint resolution assures local communities they will get the allotted state aid money regardless of what happens with potential casino revenues or other budget revenue initiatives upon which the governor's budget was partially based.
In Walpole, the resolution was seen as particularly good news since Town Administrator Michael Boynton said $303,830 in lottery aid was not part of his initial budget projections because of the uncertainty surrounding the gaming bills.
"We're grateful the legislature is going to fully fund that lottery money," said Boynton.
Dedham is in the same boat, Town Administrator William Keegan said yesterday, and will get an additional $334,560 in lottery money that Keegan did not count on in the initial budget projections because of the uncertainty of the casino revenues.
"It helps our overall budgeting situation, there's no question about that," said Keegan.
The extra money will allow the town to compensate for the rising price of fuel and electricity costs, which have gone up since selectmen reviewed the budget in February, he said.
In Norwood, the resolution was also seen as good news.
Selectman and townwide Budget Balancing Subcommittee Chairman Bill Plasko called the news a relief.
"I think it's a good number and the number I thought we should expect, but this lets us breathe easy with the knowledge that the number isn't going to suddenly come in any less," said Plasko.
"This is a plus for Norwood," said Dick Kief, who is chairman of the School Committee as well as a member of the townwide budget committee. "It just eliminates another guess and allows us to move forward with more facts."
Westwood Finance Director Pamela Dukeman said she was counting on the governor's projections for state aid, so the resolution was a welcome affirmation.
"The local aid numbers announced for today are good news for Westwood," said Dukeman. "It is certainly helpful to have the numbers known now, rather than worrying about the potential for reductions."
Legislators said they wanted to be able to give cities and towns a solid budget number with which to work.
"In this economic climate, with talk of recession and limited economic growth, there are inevitably winners and losers in the budget," Rep. John Rogers, D-Norwood, said yesterday. "Fortunately, local aid is a winner for Norwood and Walpole."
"The resolution to increase local aid by $223 million is a testament to the dedication and support the Legislature has for the schools and municipalities throughout the commonwealth," said Sen. James E. Timilty, D-Walpole.
"Maintaining and increasing local aid, especially for the schools in Dedham, Norwood and Westwood, is my priority," said Sen. Marian Walsh, D - West Roxbury.
But local leaders say state aid funding has still not caught up with fiscal 2002 levels.
Norwood, for instance, received $11.2 in state aid, but it is a lot better than fiscal 2004 and 2005 when it received $8.7 million, which has increased every year.
"We're still catching up to where we ought to be," said Boytnon, "but this helps."
Daily News staff writer Anna Kivlan contributed to this report. Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or bfalla@cnc.com.
