SEEKONK - The new year is anticipated to be a tough year, as town officials will struggle to provide services to residents while dealing with possible cuts in state aid.

About $8 million, or 20 percent, of the town's $40 million budget comes in the form of state aid. If the town were to lose 10 percent - or $800,000 - the consequences could be severe.

Town Administrator Michael Carroll said the majority of the budget was for salaries and benefits for town employees. Some 25 percent is fixed costs, such as health insurance and fuel.

"We have to continue to serve people," Carroll said, noting there isn't much that can be cut from the budget.

Carroll said the $800,000 pays for the town clerk and all elections, the planning board, the zoning board of appeals, assessors, the board of selectmen and the finance department. None of those could be eliminated, so another possibility would be to take it from the police department, which has a $3 million budget. A cut of $800,000 would wipe out 25 percent of the police department.

Meanwhile, contract negotiations are under way with seven unions, including public safety employees, library and town hall workers.

Carroll said the newly formed charter review committee would appear before the board of selectmen this month to present its recommendations.

To improve response times, Carroll would like to use more call firefighters to work with the town's career firefighters.

Carroll also wants what he calls a townwide "customer service program" to train employees to better handle the needs of residents.

"We want them to be happy," Carroll said.

Joseph S. Siegel covers Seekonk for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at joesiegel@cox.net.