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Select Board signs annual town meeting warrant, appoints part‑time town accountant and advances FY26 budget overview
Summary
At a May 5 joint Select Board/annual town meeting hearing, board members reviewed the FY26 operating and capital budgets, approved the consent agenda, signed the annual town meeting warrant for the June 2 session, and appointed Samantha Shatterton as part‑time town accountant (up to 20 hours/week).
The Hubbardston Select Board reviewed the proposed FY26 operating and capital budgets and related warrant articles during the May 5 joint Select Board and annual town meeting hearing and took three procedural actions: unanimous consent on the consent agenda, a motion to sign the annual town meeting warrant, and an appointment to the vacant part‑time town accountant position.
Town Administrator and finance staff presented the FY26 operating budget as an $11,805,504 package, a $646,000 (5.8%) increase over FY25, with the bulk of the increase coming from the regional school assessment. The presentation emphasized the budget was balanced with no operating override, no use of stabilization funds, and limited free cash for one‑time purchases. The administrators also detailed capital articles, including roads, technology, a pickup truck for fire operations, and a proposed $65,000 fire operations pickup with splits from free cash and a Halton Hospital fund contribution.
The Select Board voted to approve the consent agenda, which included routine administrative matters such as a one‑day liquor license for the Hubbardston Fair and early in‑person voting openings for the annual town election. The motion for the consent agenda carried on a voice vote.
The board then moved to sign the annual town meeting warrant for the June 2 hearing, placing the FY26 operating budget, several capital items, Community Preservation Act projects (including a proposed $40,000 library basement restoration), and an article to accept ownership and operating funds for the First Meeting House (historic preservation) on the warrant. The Select Board carried a motion to sign the warrant.
The board appointed Samantha Shatterton as part‑time town accountant (up to 20 hours per week). Shatterton addressed the board, summarizing her municipal finance background and saying she wanted to return to municipal accounting work after several roles in local government. The Select Board moved, seconded and approved the appointment by voice vote; the chair welcomed Shatterton to the post and said adjustments to the personnel authorization and compensation will be addressed with the finance committee as a personnel matter.
Board members also reviewed other warrant articles and capital items, including Community Preservation Act proposals (playground debt retirement and library basement work), cable PEG funding and relocation costs, and a proposed $5 million bridge replacement grant acceptance. Several residents asked questions on specific warrant items, particularly capital equipment and the proposed fire apparatus. Town staff promised to circulate additional supporting documents, including a planning board memo on zoning articles, to ensure voters have complete information ahead of the June meeting.
