JAY – It took about 35 minutes Monday to review 54 articles that represent a proposed $16 million school and town budget for 2007-08 that voters will tackle Tuesday, June 12, at the polls. Absentee ballots will be available Friday, May 11.

About 25 people listened as town attorney Michael Gentile read the articles and fielded questions or passed them on to department heads who could answer them.

Only a few questions were asked about the articles.

The municipal portion of the budget is proposed at $5.8 million, including $2.2 million in anticipated revenues. It reflects a reduction of $108,764 or about 3 percent over the current budget if all articles pass, including $200,250 for dispatch services.

However, selectmen and the town’s Budget Committee recommend that article be rejected and that those services would go to Franklin County Sheriff’s Department dispatch to be handled there.

If the article fails as recommended, then the budget would reflect a savings of $309,004.42 or in excess of an 8 percent reduction from the existing budget.

On the school’s side, the proposal is $9.96 million, which is $504,221 less than this year’s school budget.

There is a stand alone article for $79,760 proposed for Jay’s share of the SAD 36 adult education program.

When asked what would happen if Jay voters don’t agree to raise the money for the program, Superintendent Robert Wall said, SAD 36 could run it on its own.

The people would still have access to the adult education program, Wall said.

Wall also noted the school budget has decreased annually since he came on board.

He also said that there are eight to 10 positions proposed to be cut in this year’s budget proposal.

The School Committee has a meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at the middle school to discuss those cuts.

They include eliminating several positions including the food service director, alternative education position at high and middle schools, central office administrative assistant position, a bus driver/custodian position, a secretary position, a library clerk and teaching positions.