Uxbridge committee wraps final public hearing on preliminary FY2026 budget; health, pensions and libraries highlighted

The Select Board and Finance Committee of the Town of Uxbridge held the final public hearing on the preliminary FY2026 budget on April 15, with department heads and town staff answering questions about personnel, utilities and capital requests.

Town finance staff and department representatives emphasized modest personnel changes and several targeted increases across service areas. Library salaries are projected to rise $12,002.94 (3.29%), driven by a slight fiscal‑year accrual adjustment and a set of reclassifications; staff told the committee the library has no change in full‑time equivalents and utilities previously budgeted at about $900 were moved from the library account into the town facilities line. Technology support for the library is budgeted to increase by $3,000 for website, event registration and museum‑pass platforms, plus an additional $160 for state software licensing; circulation materials were increased to meet demand for ebooks and databases.

The Board of Health budget shows a $5,008.91 (3.39%) salary rise, and a new $500 educational‑supplies line for integrated pest‑management outreach was added. The Council on Aging’s salary lines rise about $8,005 (3.55%), and staff requested a $38,000 capital vehicle replacement to allow safer, lower‑step client transport; the presenter said the town normally purchases vehicles using state bid lists and noted $4,000 in auction proceeds previously returned to the Council on Aging would help offset costs.

Debt service in the general fund is roughly $57,000 higher (2.6%), the presenter said, largely because a short‑term BAN tied to culvert and drainage projects will come due this July and the town plans to roll that BAN forward into FY27 for projects that are not complete. Aside from that BAN, long‑term amortization schedules produce a small net debt decrease.

Town staff described ongoing monitoring of energy, water and sewer usage. “We keep track in my office — we have massive spreadsheets,” one presenter said, explaining the town breaks out usage by month and location and reaches out to department heads when anomalies appear. DPW staff and an energy broker also monitor accounts and helped identify a late‑year water spike that was abated.

Several planning and development items were previewed: the town will rely on senior planner Jack Hunter as a contractor at an anticipated $25,000 for expanded hours while a permanent planner search remains an option; multiple street‑acceptance warrant articles (Campanelli Drive, Tabor Road and others) were discussed, and a Campanelli representative said the developer has posted funds and is addressing a punch list including infiltration basin cleanup, infrared seam work on paving and easement documentation.

Staff cautioned that several key figures arrived late in the budget process — pension breakout and insurance rate notices were received after initial packet deadlines — and recommended committee members and the public consult the town’s posted preliminary budget packet for line‑by‑line detail. The committee voted to close the public hearing and will meet the following evening to finalize recommendations to present to the Select Board ahead of Town Meeting.