Towns not able to use stimulus money?

Millions of stimulus dollars are being handed out to rehire public safety workers but many towns may not be able to use the funds.

Greenfield for example received funds near 200 thousand dollars from the state for their fire department and police department.

The problem is using that state money now, means the town will have to pick up the tab, next year.

Mayor Bill Martin says they are looking into how to use the money to reimburse overtime monies, and possibly hire to replace retired fire fighters and police officers.

But as for rehiring laid off public safety workers, as the program was intended, Greenfield and other communities may have to send some of the money back to the state.

The money only gets them through one year, and towns will not be out of budget troubles when it runs out.

"We're not certain of our revenues, so to enter into a long term agreement by accepting money and committing ourselves, it could create a situation where we lay people off in a year, or two years doesn't make a lot of sense."

The mayor says no final decisions have been made yet, he's still working with the police and fire chief to use as much of the funds as they can.

Both departments could face further cuts announced within the next few weeks.