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Townsend approves $28.6M FY2027 budget after debate over TA pay, schools and purple-bag program
Summary
Townspeople approved a $28,644,820 FY2027 operating budget after discussion over town administrator pay, a $109,000 school assessment shift, planned increases to the snow-and-ice budget and scrutiny of the new purple-bag solid-waste program.
Townsend’s annual meeting on May 5 approved a $28,644,820 operating budget for fiscal 2027, voting through functional segments after extended presentations from interim staff, the finance committee and members of the public.
Interim town administrator Kieran Mian reviewed growth drivers in general government—chiefly a proposed town administrator wage adjustment tied to an ongoing search for a permanent TA—and said cost pressures included legal fees, energy and negotiated wage settlements. “We’re looking for your full-time permanent TA,” he said during the general government segment, explaining why the TA line increased.
The education segment, totaling roughly $17.12 million, drew public concern about spending restraint and teacher and staff reductions. Ken Francois, vice chair of the North Middlesex school committee, described the district’s budget process and said recent health-insurance trends and regional constraints have forced difficult program and staffing choices.
Highway officials also outlined a plan to add a full-time mechanic and increase salt and temporary help budgets; those steps were presented as proactive measures to reduce future snow-and-ice deficit spending after the council earlier approved a $312,817 free-cash transfer for FY2026.
The solid-waste enterprise fund prompted sustained public comment about the town’s new purple-bag pay-as-you-throw program. Recycling committee chair Irene Congden defended the program, saying, “Our program has been a success,” citing early data and lower household costs compared with surrounding towns. Opponents at the microphone argued the program increases plastic use and inconveniences residents; finance committee members said the board of health will review pricing after the first-year data are in.
A variety of smaller budget items—revolving-fund spending limits, debt service and insurance costs (notably a projected health-insurance increase)—were discussed and approved. Finance committee chair Don Hayes and other members noted two line-item changes and recommended the full package.
Moderator John Barrett read the warrant’s listed transfers—ambulance receipts, solid-waste overhead, water enterprise payments and others—that would cover portions of the budget. The final motion to adopt the budget and authorize transfers carried by voice vote.
Next steps: departments will close FY2026 accounting with the approved transfers, and select board and staff continue recruitment for a permanent town administrator.
