Westborough leaders present FY26 “level‑service” budget as insurance, debt and staffing drive increase

Christy Williams, Westborough’s town manager, presented a proposed fiscal‑year 2026 “level‑service” budget that she said preserves current services while reflecting unavoidable cost increases. Williams told the joint summit of the Select Board and the Advisory Finance Committee that town operating budgets are up 4.12% and school budgets are up 5.77% under the current proposals.

The town manager said fixed costs — largely debt and insurance — are a major driver and that salary and wage changes account for nearly $900,000 of the town side increase. Williams described the budget as conservative on revenues, noting the town bases estimates on historical trends, state consensus forecasts and information from industry consultants: “We have to be conservative because we don’t know what fiscal year 25 looks like yet, never mind fiscal 26,” she said.

School Superintendent Allison described the district’s level‑service school budget as designed to maintain existing programs and class‑size guidelines, while acknowledging the school side faces substantial inflationary pressures in transportation and out‑of‑district tuition. Allison recommended creating a special education reserve account to smooth year‑to‑year swings caused by high‑cost special‑education placements and the state Circuit Breaker reimbursement program.

Public safety leaders urged caution about cuts. Fire Chief Patrick Purcell warned the department is operating under sustained high call volumes and staff pressures: “We’re walking a high wire act at the fire department every day,” he said, arguing there is little fat to trim without eroding emergency response. Police Chief Todd Minardi and his command staff likewise highlighted recruitment and overtime costs and requested continued investment in staffing and fleet replacement to maintain service levels.

Town and department leaders also updated members on several capital and program projects: a regional emergency communications center with neighboring towns (anticipated early savings as additional communities join), the town’s transition to pay‑as‑you‑throw waste management (early tonnage reductions), an ongoing assessment of lead water service lines, and proposed repairs to the community center pool.

After extended discussion about where savings might be found, the Select Board moved for a joint meeting with the school committee and the Advisory Finance Committee to explore proportional reductions and next steps. The board asked staff to return with options and costed proposals ahead of the March borrowing cycle and the town‑meeting schedule.