Danvers Coronavirus: Town Takes Wait-And-See Approach On Budget

DANVERS, MA — The Danvers School Committee approved its budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 at its March 9 meeting.

Then coronavirus happened.

The committee has not met since March 9, and meetings with selectmen and the finance committee to discuss the proposal that will go before town meeting were canceled because of the new coronavirus pandemic.

Both the school system and finance officials are waiting for the state budget to be finalized before moving forward with revisions to local budgets. It's a scenario playing out in communities across the state.

"We continue to watch for developments with the State Legislature and Federal Government on the FY21 budget process and figures," the school committee said in a statement sent to patch by Superintendent Lisa Dana. "We continue to work collaboratively with Town Hall and other stakeholders to remain flexible as the budget develops while prioritizing our services to students."

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Board of Selectmen Chairman Dan Bennett said the town is trying to reschedule meetings, leading up to the rescheduled town meeting on June 15 at a time and location to be announced. The tentative schedule is as follows:

• May 5: Selectmen have a high-level budget overview
• May 14: Selectmen review budget
• May 15: Selectmen budget review continues, if needed
• May 20: Finance Committee budget review
• May 21: Finance Committee budget review continues, if needed
• May 26: Selectmen review town meeting warrant
• May 28: Finance Committee reviews town meeting warrant
• June 15: Annual Town Meeting

The state, which supplements local and school budgets, has lost wage tax revenue from the 689,000 jobs that have vanished since the start of the pandemic, as well as lost sales tax revenue from closed, non-essential businesses. That forced the state legislature was to scrap a budget process that began in December, leaving local governments in limbo. State lawmakers are hoping federal money could make that process easier.

Massachusetts officials are now lobbying for more federal money for states.

More Coronavirus Coverage On Massachusetts Patch:

• State Needs To Increase Coronavirus Testing To Safely Reopen
• CDC Data Suggest Coronavirus Death Count Higher
• Many MA Residents Still Waiting For Coronavirus Stimulus Checks
• Coronavirus Case Counts For Every Massachusetts Town

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).