WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN!
WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARED!

— RICK ON THE TOWN'S FINANCIAL CRISIS

IT DIDN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY

BACKGROUND

  • It is the responsibility of the town's Select Board to provide active guidance and direction in the town's $120M+ a year budget.

  • The major financial challenges for Marshfield have been called out by the Marshfield Advisory Board and two talented interim town administrators for more than 9 months, with little to no pro-active action by the Select Board.

  • As chair of the town's Advisory Board in March 2025, Rick called on the Select Board to create a five-year financial plan. Rick also called on the town to start the budgeting process as soon as possible to give the town maximum flexibility, opportunity for collaboration, and transparency.

  • Three days before Christmas, the interim town administrator produced the first five-year forecast the town has had in years, which clearly showed a financial crisis that will be felt by all residents.

WHERE DO WE STAND?

  • The five-year forecast shows that for the next year, there may be a $4.5M+ shortfall that may require deep cuts in town services and/or an increase in property taxes.

  • This deficit does NOT include anticipated employee raises subject to negotiations, which, along with final state aid numbers, could increase the projected deficit to $6 million.

  • Instead of meeting with the School Committee and working collaboratively on the financial challenges that lie ahead, the Select Board leadership has extended criticism instead of partnership.

  • Towns across Massachusetts are facing similar challenges, with many of them already having had serious conversations and made decisions to reduce the impact on the people in their community.

$4.5 M+

Projected Budget Shortfall For Next Year

$120 M+

Annual Town Budget That Needs Oversight

9+

Months of Warnings Ignored by the Select Board

MARSHFIELD NEEDS PROVEN LEADERSHIP AND A STRATEGY TO DEAL WITH THE FINANCIAL CRISIS

“Marshfield is facing a financial crisis that requires strong professional leadership, a real strategy, and collaboration between all the town's partners. Unfortunately, the Select Board has taken a head-in-the-sand approach to what should have been an urgent, full-court press on its core responsibility to anticipate and prepare for the crisis. By not planning and taking early steps, the board has risked limiting the town's options and now we must act with urgency to prevent very painful cuts.”

“The Select Board shouldn't be twiddling its thumbs allowing a difficult fiscal situation to become a crisis. The board shouldn't be pointing the finger at the school system without ever having met with the School Committee to discuss how best to move forward.”

“This crisis can't be solved by ignoring it or trying to blame someone else for the problems. Marshfield needs a Select Board with the experience, skills, and leadership to roll-up their sleeves long before someone comes to shut off the lights.”

“We need a 'whole of government' approach that pulls together designated members from the Select Board, the School Committee, Board of Public Works, the town finance team and the Advisory Board. Our residents expect and deserve it.”