Plymouth Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver asked the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety to watch the budget closely as the effects of COVID-19 are felt in municipal government.
At the board’s last meeting, she asked for a hiring and capital spending freeze as there will be a significant loss of revenue due to COVID-19. She asked the department heads to start watching expenses or there may be cuts in either capital expenses or personnel.
She did say at the April 27 meeting that compared to March, there are several accounts seeing deficits.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi said the department heads agreed in a meeting that any hiring or spending would be before the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety for specific approval. Surrisi said with several exceptions with hiring for summer work, the department heads would follow the board’s action where freeze paperwork would not be needed. He said they’ll operate as well as they can for as long as they can.
Board member Bill Walters commented that he’d hate to see any reduction in force as city employees are essential. He hopes to see a “tightening of the belt” of department heads and that they take this situation seriously. If it becomes absolutely necessary, he suggested using Rainy Day funds to help the situation.
The board did approve a motion that they will review all capital expenditures and all hiring recommendations for appropriate action.
