The City has done well despite severe cutbacks in State aid to municipalities. Medford has remained stable while many other communities have had to cut essential services and ask for tax overrides. As a councilor I stay in touch with the Superintendent of Schools and School Committee Members regarding that budget. The school budget did not incorporate any big changes this year and the Superintendent came before The Medford City Council to discuss it in detail after it was approved unanimously by the School Committee. The Council receives the school budget book, which details all proposed expenditures. I encourage interested citizens to attend our meetings and those of the School Committee. Both bodies are constantly referencing budget matters throughout the year. Budget should not be thought of as a once a year event. The biggest issue on finance affecting cities and towns is to regain a fair share of state aid. Medford and many other communities has lost millions in state aid since Fiscal 2003 when the State cut back to solve their own problems. Medford has been very creative in keeping programs and services in place. We would opt have to resort to one time measures with a more stable contribution from the state.
