By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – State Representative Matthew Beaton (R-Shrewbury) met with the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen during the board's March 25 meeting. His visit coincided with a discussion earlier in the meeting of the plunge in most local aid from the state.
Earlier in the meeting, Town Manager Daniel J. Morgado had reviewed the local aid situation, which he said “continues to disappoint.” Of the $25 million local aid budget for 2015, Shrewsbury is to receive just $258,000, or one percent. This contrasts with the $977,000 the town received in 2004, which was just fewer than four percent of the local aid budget of $21.4 million. The proposed 2015 state budget is $36.3 billion.
Beaton told selectmen and the audience that he is “incredibly frustrated” by Gov. Deval Patrick's budget proposal but that, “unfortunately, it's going forward.”
He noted that the budget is up over six percent from 2014 but that there is no addition to local aid. Morgado noted that, at the current rate of local aid, it won's be until 2020 that Shrewsbury gets back to the level of aid it received in 2009. The selectmen thanked Beaton for his appearance and his efforts to increase local aid to the town.
Toward the end of the meeting, the board approved the Town Manager's new contract and thanked Morgado for his exceptional service to the town.