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Uneasy Mayors Brace For Patrick's Budget Cuts

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Oct 9, 2008 10:34 pm US/Eastern

Uneasy Mayors Brace For Patrick's Budget Cuts

Reporting
Beth Germano
SOMERVILLE (WBZ) ― From one city hall to the next there is fear of the unknown.

Mayors from around Massachusetts have been invited to the statehouse Friday for a summit with Lt. Governor Tim Murray to discuss Wall Street's impact on their city streets and services.

Asked if he's bracing for the worst, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone told WBZ-TV's Beth Germano, "You have to prepare for the worst."

That's because 30 percent of his budget depends on local aid. And while Gov. Deval Patrick has said cuts in local aid will be a "last resort" to meet the fiscal crisis, there's still plenty of unease.

Lowell Mayor Edward Caulfield says everyone is on "pins and needles."

A one or two percent cut in local aid could mean a loss of $1.5 to $3 million to his city.

"You're talking serious money," he said. "Local aid is the heart and pulse of the budget."

For Lowell, it's as much as 50 percent of the budget. From schools, to public works, to public safety, the mayors will only say they're crafting many contingency plans.

"If there's no money you've got to make smart, might be painful, but smart and strategic choices," said Curtatone.

Friday's summit is being called informational to discuss the budget woes and get input from the municipal leaders.

Patrick is not expected to announce his proposals for millions in budget cuts until next week.

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