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Department heads pitch Christmas wish lists for FY'22 | Reading


READING – Budget fantasy took precedent over town realities as department heads laid out their Christmas wish list for FY22 Tuesday night. The Reading Select Board heard presentations on facilities, public services, public safety, and capital/debt all coming with a mandate from Town Manager Bob LeLacheur to “create a budget as if money was no object.”
Last week the board heard presentations from the library, administrative services, finance, public works, and enterprise funds. It’s all part of the process that will lead to the FY22 budget for Reading.
Like previous budget discussions, Tuesday’s virtual meeting was filled with big numbers and colorful charts. On RCTV the numbers were often hard to read but in many ways it didn’t matter. At some point reality will overtake fantasy and the numbers will change. For example, collective bargaining with the town’s eight unions is ongoing and that’s just one of many variables. The biggest va ....

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