Budget Review Committee approves most FY27 operating budgets, tables beach lifeguard director

The Budget Review Committee on Feb. 18 approved most departmental operating budgets and related revenue estimates for fiscal year 2027 while deferring a proposed Beach Enterprise position until more information is provided.

Committee Chair Ron Schneider led the panel through a series of motions that passed unanimously or with recorded absences. Approved items included the Conservation Commission operations budget of $12,700; the Library operations budget of $153,450 and library revenue of $6,800; the Police operations budget of $696,522 and police revenue of $195,000; Dispatch operations of $170,710 with $150,000 in expected revenue; Fire operations of $610,453; and townwide utilities ($454,000) and IT infrastructure operations ($628,865). Most motions recorded 7‑0 approvals; the meeting minutes record a 6‑0‑1 vote on the Feb. 11 minutes and a 6‑0‑1 vote on the animal control operations budget of $18,825.

Library Director Lee Shaw told the committee the spike in building costs reflects contracted cleaning after a staff shift removed the prior full‑time cleaner to another department, and Bill Wade noted that the Friends of the Library group has donated about $175,000 for reading programs since 2014. Finance Director Jodie Sanborn said a reserve account of $14,744 exists for a proposed Quiet Study/Meeting Pod; purchasing the pod would require an additional $5,256 to reach the $20,000 total, and Lee Shaw said the library would not charge for pod use.

Police budget increases include a near‑200% rise in postage spending after the department began using its own postage meter and roughly 45% higher training costs driven by an approximately $4,500 increase per cadet at the police academy, per David MacKenzie. The minutes show the committee approved both the police operating and revenue figures.

The committee approved a contingent staffing appropriation for a Fire Inspector: $35,654 was approved to fund the position only if a short‑term rental ordinance appears on and passes the Nov. 2026 warrant, per Ron Schneider’s presentation. Separately, several fire capital requests were discussed, including $70,969 for extrication tools and a request for new radios; those CIP requests were recorded and revised during discussion (see separate coverage of capital requests).

The Beach Enterprise fund drew detailed discussion. Committee members were told the fund balance is about $200,000 but is projected to be down about $160,000 for FY27. Fire Chief Mark Dupuis requested adding a full‑time, year‑round Ocean Rescue Director; after questions about salary and fiscal impact, the committee voted to table that proposal and asked Chief Dupuis to provide further salary information at a later meeting.

Before adjourning, Chair Schneider asked members to identify which grant materials they wanted for the Feb. 25 budget meeting; Finance Director Jodie Sanborn agreed to email details on the Shoreline Trolley and the Historical Society.

The committee adjourned after a final motion recorded as approved 7‑0.