NORTON - Town Manager James Purcell says the propriety of a Proposition 2 1/2 override is not his call.

However, Purcell predicts state officials cutting Norton's local aid possibly as much as $1.6 million for the next budget year.

The figure represents 10 percent of Norton's total estimated receipts for this year, Purcell told selectmen Thursday night.

Gov. Deval Patrick this fall sought legislative authority to cut funding from outside the state operating budget, Purcell said.

That move never happened. "I still firmly believe that the Legislature will say OK to the governor, and there will be cuts to local aid," Purcell said. "I'll be glad to eat crow if that doesn't come to pass."

Selectman Stephen Gradie asked if thinking about an override was proper. "That's a political question that I'll leave to the elected officials," Purcell said. "I'm not ducking it. I just think I have a different role."

However, "if you want to maintain level services, you're going to have to find more money," he said. Level funding in local aid would be a "monumental achievement," Purcell said. "I think you're going to see budget reductions in general government and on the school side," he said.

Local aid could be cut twice, Purcell said: about $200,000 for this fiscal year, and somewhere between $200,000 and $1.6 million for the one starting July 1.

The last time that Norton's local aid was cut 10 percent, the town lost $200,000, Purcell said. However, Purcell cautioned that "things are very unclear right now."

Selectman Robert Kimball Jr. was not ready to discuss an override now. "Most people are going to be out of work, anyway," he noted.

MICHAEL GELBWASSER covers Norton for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.