Earlier
that day, Gov. Deval Patrick announced state revenues in April fell
more than $450 million below what had been predicted – adding another
hurdle as some city officials continue to raise concerns about the data
the city is working from.

"We're trying to build a house on
shifting sands here," Ward 7 Aldermen Bob Trane said at an April 28
budget hearing held by both the Board of Aldermen and the School
Committee. "We need to get some clarification from our leaders on
Beacon Hill."

In January, the city was confronted with a $3
million shortfall when Patrick announced mid-year aid cuts to the
FY2009 budget. The FY2010 budget, which begins July 1, is also expected
to face mid-year cuts – with the exact amount of aid a constantly
changing number as the State Legislature moves toward finalizing a
budget.

The projected deficit for FY2010, according to the mayor's office, is between "$7 – $11+ million."

Among
the recommendations presented to the Board of Aldermen and School
Committee on May 4 were one week furloughs for police officers and
other city personnel, and increasing the premium city employees must
pay for their health insurance.

Curtatone said the plan calls
for $4.79 million in total cuts from payroll, health insurance
contributions, and pension plan adjustments.

In addition to
the cuts, the plan calls for an increase in parking fines and meter
fees, and for parking permits to be issued citywide. The revamped fees
will bring in an estimated $2.39 million in additional revenue.

Some
of the proposals echoed residents' suggestions given at the April 28
public forum, where ideas ranged from increasing parking ticket fees to
consolidating 911 call centers

At that meeting, Superintendent
Tony Pierantozzi noted that two thirds of students live at or below the
poverty line, and that among the suggested school budget cuts
introducing activities fees was among the worst options.

"A
longstanding tenet in the Somerville public schools is that fees do not
belong," he said. "What fees would do for us is create a bifurcated
system: those who can afford things and those who cannot."

Human
Rights Commission co-chair Cesar Urrunaga asked why Curtatone would
support a sales tax increase when "it hurts those who don't make a lot
of money more." Curtatone later said while he lacked faith in the
Legislature to provide long term solutions to the budget deficit, the
city should take what it offers.

"I'll be the first hypocrite in
line to take that money for our city," Curtatone said. "There are very
few people on Beacon Hill who have a clue what it takes to run a
municipality."

A report from a financial advisory committee
assembled by Curtatone to analyze the city's budget options was
expected Tuesday as the Somerville News went to press.

The recommendations for the FY2010 city budget can be found at www.somervillema.gov/spotlight.cfm?id=73.