Tax bills still pending
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Ashburnham residents should not expect to see their tax bills for another few weeks because local officials are stilling working with the state to reach an agreement of the water department's rate.

"The DOS is still working with officials in town in regards to the water and sewer enterprise funds," said Department of Revenue spokesperson Bob Bliss. "It is the belief of our analysts that they are not in balance."

Interim Town Administrator Paul Boushell said the tax rate has been set it just is not certified because of the concern about the water rate. He said the rate is just enough to cover the water department's operating budget but the state would like to see the department begin to build up large reserve.

"Those concerns are shared by the local officials as well," said Boushell.

Bliss said because the enterprise funds are not considered to be in balance the town's entire budget is not considered to be in balance. The DOR must consider a town's budget balanced before a tax rate is set.

"We are optimistic that Ashburnham will be able to arrive at a balanced budget fairly soon," said Bliss.

Boushell, the town accountant, the water department consultant are meeting with the Water Commissioners and the DPW director at the commissions first meeting in March. But Boushell hopes the issue would be resolved before that meeting.

There are 27 out of 351 cities and towns do not have an approved budget, according to Bliss.

The town does not have a cash flow problem because of the quarterly tax bills and has not had to borrow money to keep the town budget moving, Boushell said.

Boushell said residents will see their tax bills three to four weeks after the approval from DOR.

The Selectmen have discussed their concerns about the water and sewer enterprise funds for nearly two years.

This year the Water and Sewer Commissioners approved a rate hike for both departments, but the Department of Revenue does not believe the rate increases were sufficient to cover the expenditures for the respective departments. State law mandates enterprise funds balance without using the other operating costs.

The tax rate was held up last year as well because of concerns about these enterprise funds but town officials thought the problems had been resolved.