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Town manager previews FY26 budget cycle, project updates and staffing changes
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Cumberland Town Manager updated the Council on department budget work for FY2026, a new finance director hire, ongoing construction and utility projects, and upcoming committee meetings and deadlines.
The Cumberland Town Manager told the Town Council on Jan. 13 that departments are preparing budgets for the FY2026 cycle while continuing work on several capital and operational projects.
The manager said all departments are reviewing revenues and expenditures to align spending with the town’s strategic priorities as the budget season begins. The manager also announced the hiring of Helene DeBartolomeo as finance director; she has been on board three weeks and is participating in the FY2024 financial audit and annual reporting work.
Work is underway on several capital projects. The Rusty Lantern development on the west side is in active construction with an anticipated opening between Memorial Day and July 4. The Mineral Springs area will see a waterline extension; pilot hole drilling has begun. The manager said winter maintenance and invasive-species work continue where weather allows, and public works crews recently responded to storm conditions.
The town’s assessor is preparing for an equalization and revaluation project; the manager said a council workshop is expected in spring to outline timelines and public outreach. The planning board will review ordinance changes referred by the council and is expected to return recommendations at the Jan. 27 council meeting. The Comprehensive Plan Committee will hold its first meeting Jan. 23 at 6 p.m.; legal training on freedom-of-access and right-to-know issues also is planned for that meeting.
On community services, winter recreation programs including youth basketball and ski club are active; the manager noted the Active Living luncheon is Jan. 27. Dog license renewals are due Jan. 31; residents must provide current rabies certificates for registration. Library Director Thomas Bennett will retire Jan. 22 after 26-plus years; the manager said a public celebration will be held at the library from 1 to 3 p.m. The manager reminded the public that town offices will be closed Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Why this matters: the manager’s report lays out timetable and staffing details that will shape the council’s work through budget deliberations and several near-term projects, from construction openings to a townwide revaluation that can affect property-tax revenue projections.
Councilors asked follow-up questions during the report: one asked whether the solar ordinance remains before the ordinance committee for additional work; the manager said ordinance-committee meetings are being scheduled to finish the solar and fireworks items and others. The manager also said existing turf or court surfaces are a separate category from artificial turf installations covered elsewhere on the agenda.
