SEEKONK - The town is in for difficult times with a faltering economy, Town Administrator Michael Carroll says.

Selectmen last week approved 21 articles for the Nov. 3 town warrant, which is short on new expenditures. Carroll said personnel and equipment requests for the police and fire departments were approved by voters at the last two town meetings, which is why there are no requests for those departments this year.

There is a hiring freeze for all nonessential town employees.

A new recreation director has been hired, but will be paid from a revolving fund account.

Carroll said there was a "great deal of uncertainty" among officials in other towns as to what measures the state will take to handle lower than expected revenues. When Gov. Deval Patrick announced his budget cuts Wednesday, local aid cuts weren't included. That was good news, because local aid cuts would throw the entire town budget out of balance, necessitating a special town meeting, Carroll said. Voters would need to decide what to cut from the budget.

A tri-board meeting will be held Oct. 22 so selectmen and the school and finance committees can put together a multi-year financial forecast. The boards will outline proposed spending for the next five years.

Meanwhile, Carroll remains pessimistic about the financial condition of the state and its impact on Seekonk. "It's not looking encouraging. We're going to have a tough time next year."