City gets $400K in Brownfield cash

The city and the EPA announced today a $400,000 grant to the city to study potential Brownfield sites. Read more at the Fitchburg Pride website.

While we're here...

It doesn't look good for the old sewer rate increase, based on councilor comments in the paper today. Both sides at this point are playing politics: Mylott wants his increase and his leaving few options. Councilors don't want to roll over (at least two have basically said in recent days overall fiscal displeasure is a role in this) on another one.

Interestingly, the budget comes out tonight. If the council does the expected and doesn't approve the tax rate, it will be interesting to see what it says about a budget that will see further increases than if the rate was passed.

It will be interesting to see if Mylott goes through with his stated plan to throw money into a stabilization fund. It will be interesting to see if councilors think it's enough -- if there's any (and there's no indication there won't be, but with the additional cuts...).

Finally, it will be interesting to see what the council does with this budget. You'd have to think wriggle room will be small. But it's clear anything related to Mylott and money is going to cause a stink. Question is, where from?

I'd guess there will be complaints about spending everything and not having enough in reserves. But at a time when jobs are being lost, how far can that line go? And if the "Mylott gives the council no options" crowd wants to rev up on the job losses, I'd love to hear the options available right now.

The battle lines should be drawn pretty quickly, and it should be interesting to watch. Let the budget fun begin in earnest starting tonight.