Warren adopts FY26‑27 budget, adds planning flexibility for Burr's Hill restoration

The Warren Town Council adopted its fiscal year 2026–27 budget at the May meeting after approving a narrow change to a restoration line item so it can fund engineering and planning work for a proposed Burr's Hill/Burhill Park restoration.

Planner Paula Castro (speaker 18) told the council an RFP for landscape/engineering design is nearly complete and that engineering design work is likely to cost between $50,000 and $100,000 depending on the scope. She asked councilors to hold a $28,000 restoration line as a contingency for planning or design so the town can apply for state grants (including DEM grants that could provide up to $400,000) and then present bids to the council.

Council members debated whether the $28,000 should remain limited to emergency repairs (fencing, making safe) or be broadened to include planning. After discussion they approved wording to rename the line to "repair and planning," and then voted to adopt the budget as amended. "That funding is there. We'll apply for the grant," Castro said; the RFP was expected to be posted before the end of the month, with proposals reviewed at the July meeting.

The town manager and council noted broader fiscal pressures ahead related to regional school district debt service, but said the budget vote established the town's spending plan and left staff with authority to pursue design work and grant matches under the amended line item.