Hubbardston administrator previews FY26 budget, flags school costs and possible debt exclusions

Town Administrator Nate presented the Town of Hubbardston’s proposed fiscal 2026 operating budget and capital improvement plan at a joint Select Board and Finance Committee meeting Monday, outlining a roughly $11.8 million spending plan and warning that rising school costs threaten the town’s long‑term fiscal balance.

Nate said the draft budget remains balanced largely by using free cash, about $144,000 in his package, and that the town will need to use one‑time funds unless revenues grow or services are cut. “This budget is unfortunately balanced by approximately the same amount of free cash as we utilized last year,” he said. He highlighted revenues that support the plan: a tax levy that makes up about 78 percent of revenue, roughly $1.75 million in local receipts (including excise), and state aid based on “House 1,” the governor’s initial FY26…