Town manager previews 2026 municipal budget showing modest increase, proposed staffing and technology investments

The town manager presented Chelsea's proposed municipal budget for fiscal 2026 at the March 12 meeting, describing a draft that shows a preliminary overall increase of about 3.86% and an estimated mill‑rate effect (presented in the meeting materials as an increase on an average home). The town manager said the draft uses some undesignated fund balance to limit the immediate tax impact and proposed moving the deputy finance director position from part time to four days per week to bring reconciliation work in‑house.

Key items noted in the presentation: an estimated increase driven by school and county assessments, a proposed 4.5% pay increase for town staff plus a 1% merit pool, an increase in plowing/sweeping and sheriff patrol costs, an estimated annual gain in interest income from revised cash management practices, and potential revenue from renewable‑energy reimbursements tied to a local solar field. The manager also proposed investments in a new website and upgraded office computers, and discussed technology and VoIP planning.

The manager said the draft will be refined as more information arrives (health‑insurance rates, teacher negotiations, final audit figures) and reminded citizens that the budget committee will meet on April 2 to begin detailed review before the Select Board takes its recommendation to town meeting. The board did not vote to adopt the municipal budget at the meeting; the presentation was a preview and the formal budget schedule continues through April and May.