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Town administrator says proposed FY26 budget tight after IRS penalty reversal and staff-wide cuts
Summary
Town administrator Adam Lamontagne told the Select Board the FY26 budget is “the most difficult” he has worked on, following a successful challenge to an IRS penalty and a program of departmental cuts and cost‑saving measures.
Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne told the Town of Templeton Select Board on Feb. 12 that a department document intended for an internal working group was posted to social media; he said the document is a public record and cautioned against using the leak to discredit cost‑saving efforts.
Lamontagne also announced that the town successfully challenged an IRS penalty, calling it “a big win for the Town of Templeton” and commended the town accountant for hours spent resolving the matter through the IRS portal. He said the win required extensive staff work.
Turning to next year’s town budget, Lamontagne described the FY26 proposal as “the most difficult budget I’ve worked on since I’ve worked for the town.” He said the FY25 budget used $430,000 from stabilization to help the schools and that the administration will propose department cuts and other savings for FY26; he said he will not take a pay raise and that non‑union pay increases were removed from the proposed budget. Proposed measures include mothballing at least one municipal building, reducing stipends, and eliminating certain events (for example, the employee appreciation party).
Lamontagne said he will release his proposed FY26 budget on March 13 and asked department heads to cooperate with budget guidance. The Select Board agreed to defer any discussion of a separate, un‑agendized personnel matter raised during the administrator’s report to a future meeting or a special session.
The board did not vote on the proposed budget on Feb. 12; members discussed timing and next steps and asked for continued updates ahead of the March 13 distribution date.
