Foster council sets budget workshop dates, targets April adoption and May 6 financial town meeting

The Foster Town Council agreed on preliminary dates for budget workshops and set an internal schedule aimed at meeting the town’s financial town meeting on May 6, 2025. Councilors tentatively approved workshop dates and a public hearing target to ensure the required advertising and state approvals can be completed on the town’s budget process timetable.

Town staff outlined the timetable: the financial town meeting is May 6, 2025 (the first Tuesday in May by charter), so council adoption of the budget must happen in time for the required state review and public advertisement. Staff recommended an April 10 target for council adoption, noting April 17 was the latest regular Thursday that would still allow the required state review and advertising window; the public hearing was proposed for March 27 to satisfy the 30‑day advertising requirement.

Councilors agreed to the following preliminary schedule: a full budget workshop on March 6 at 5:00 p.m., followed by additional workshops on March 13 at 4:30 p.m., March 18 at 5:00 p.m., and March 20 at 5:00 p.m.; the council retained flexibility to add or change meetings as needed. Staff said department budgets would be posted in advance (a binder and digital folder) and encouraged councilors to submit questions between meetings so staff can gather answers. The council noted adoption would be targeted for April 10 if possible, or April 17 at the latest, to allow time for the required advertising and state approval before the May 6 financial town meeting.

Councilors also discussed the possibility of a charter amendment to move the town’s financial town meeting later in the year (for example to June) to give more time to reconcile state aid and other post‑legislative changes before adopting a budget. No action on charter changes was taken.