Francestown has furloughed the town’s deputy clerk and administrative assistant because of a reduced workload, Town Administrator Jamie Pike said.
“As soon as the stay at home order gets lifted we’ll be happy to have them back,” he said, and he and the Town Clerk are picking up the work in the meantime. The furlough was effective April 14. The Francestown administration is currently focusing on what portions of the budget to cut or delay in light of anticipated cash flow problems this year, Pike said. Although local revenues associated with motor vehicle registration and building permits are up as compared to last year, Pike said he and the Select Board anticipate reduced revenue from the state, and are unsure about how quickly local taxes will come in.
“It’s inevitable I think,” Pike said.
The town typically receives about $80,000 from the state’s nine percent tax on meals and hotel rooms, services that are being underutilized during the stay-at-home orders, he said. The town also receives a highway block grant from the state that’s funded by the gas tax.
Pike said he expected many of the volunteer and appointed positions in the town with expired tenure to be refilled by current volunteers, although there are remaining vacancies on the Heritage Commission, Keepers of the Clock, Recreation Commission, Waste Disposal Committee, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and alternates for the Conservation Commission and Library Trustees.