Rehoboth Selectmen Approve Bare Bones Budget

The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen approved a budget for July which provides the essentials to keep the town running. Town departments have been instructed to restrain spending.
“It’s pretty much bare bones,” Chairman Gerry Schwall said Monday. The June town meeting was cancelled due to uncertainty regarding the state’s finances. Schwall said there could be a $5 billion shortfall in revenues because of the prolonged economic shutdown. The 2021 town budget will have to be approved by residents at a future date.
Plans to reopen town hall are ongoing. Because of the risk of spreading COVID-19, office capacity will be limited to 25 percent in accordance with health recommendations from the state. That means an office which can accommodate four employees will be used by only one employee. Schwall noted town employees have the ability to do their jobs from home. Residents will have to adjust to the changes when town hall reopens to the public in July. “It’s going to look different,” Schwall said. “It’s going to feel different.”