Aquinnah will cut operational spending by 10 per cent in next year’s budget, the board of selectmen voted Tuesday night, leaving open the question of eliminating cost of living adjustments for town employees as well.

Selectmen Jim Newman stressed, “We’re not cutting services ... You’re going to have the same number of police officers; you’re going to have the dump opened two days a week. I’m not asking them to cut down on what they’re doing.”

Chairman Spencer Booker said that budget cuts of 10 per cent might be too much, after budgets were cut by the same amount last year.Additional cuts might result in cuts to some services, he said.

But Mr. Newman stood firm. “I would like to shoot for 10 per cent. If it’s not possible, we won’t do it,” he said.

Mr. Newman also said that he didn’t see a need for cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for town employees. “If you go up [because of a contract guaranteeing an increase], you’re getting a pay raise ... and on top of a pay raise, you’re getting a cost of living expense,” he said, noting that most town employees will be getting such so-called “step increase” raises this year. Mr. Newman said he does not believe the cost of living on the Island has increased. For instance, he said, gas prices have decreased, and he expects the same for electrical rates.

The board voted to try to decrease the fiscal year 2011 budget by 10 per cent. They did not reach a decision about whether COLAs will be granted.

In other business, the selectmen voted to use up to $2,500 from reserve funds to compensate town hall staff for working extra hours necessary to get the books closed for fiscal year 2010. Town coordinator Jeffrey J. Burgoyne said he didn’t think town accountant Margie Spitz would have enough time to complete tax documents for the department of revenue by the Feb. 1 deadline if she were working on her own.

The reserve transfer fund holds more than $13,000. At six months into the fiscal year, Mr. Burgoyne said he would be comfortable dipping into the fund at this time.

The selectmen also proposed a three per cent lease rate increase for businesses located at the Aquinnah cliffs. There has been no raise in lease rates for the past two years, but the board said that the state of the economy makes it necessary this year. Mr. Booker: “We need the revenue.”

The lease increase works out to roughly $100 per lot, according to the selectmen. “We’re not asking them to increase it so much that it hurts,” said Mr. Booker. The board will discuss the increase at a public meeting on Jan. 21.

The board also accepted fellow selectman Camille Rose’s resignation from the Aquinnah planning board. “She really put in many years, and did a great job,” said Mr. Newman.

Ms. Rose has served on the planning board for more than 30 years. She was one of the original members when the board was created in 1973, and served as its first chairman. Her final term runs through May 2011.