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Select Board and Finance Committee review FY27 budgets, set warrant items including DPW debt exclusion and school override
Summary
At a joint meeting on March 31, 2026, the Upton Select Board and Finance Committee reviewed FY27 budgets for town departments and Blackstone Valley Tech, discussed a $19,271 police radio warrant article (amount to be finalized), and voted to open/close the annual warrant and place a DPW debt‑exclusion and a MURSD operating override on the ballot.
The Upton Select Board and Finance Committee met jointly on March 31 to review FY27 budget proposals and to finalize several items for the May 7 Annual Town Meeting warrant.
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School Superintendent Anthony Steele, Assistant Superintendent Matthew Connors and Finance Director Christopher Pilla presented a district budget that increases 2.5% overall. Steele said Upton’s assessment will rise by 10.74%, driven by higher student enrollment and a required State minimum contribution increase of about $165,000; he estimated the state‑mandated component accounts for roughly 83% of Upton’s increase. The district will eliminate eight staff positions (roughly $650,000 in savings), but Steele said those reductions do not reduce Upton’s assessment because assessments are largely formula‑driven and tied to enrollment.
Finance Director Kenny Costa (remote) presented the Finance Department budget, highlighting a $29,980 (6.57%) departmental increase, required full OPEB valuation ($6,900), rising audit fees, a recommended $10,000 special article for the five‑year revaluation cycle (per MGL), and continued low town debt. Costa also noted that any spent portion of a previously authorized $2.5 million for DPW schematic design must be repaid even if the project does not proceed.
Town Manager Kristen Rubin presented the Town Manager budget ($1,000,913, up $130,200 or 8.51%), citing cost‑of‑living adjustments, step increases and contractual obligations; she also described changes to insurance coverage and the Worcester County Retirement prepayment discount.
Police Chief Palmieri described the town’s need to update radio equipment. The State will fund six radios; the Department needs ten additional digital‑capable units because the previously‑planned model is no longer manufactured. A vendor quoted $19,271 for ten radios. Town Moderator Dave Leoper advised that small dollar adjustments can be made at Town Meeting if disclosed or the article can be written as “or any other sum.” Town Manager Rubin said Chief Palmieri will obtain an updated quote and the Board will reopen the warrant later to finalize the article amount.
Following presentations and discussion the Board voted to open the May 7 Annual Town Meeting warrant (motion by Member Brett Simas) to allow final edits. During warrant review the Board confirmed the Police Radio Purchase article to include $19,271 (final amount pending), the Assessors’ Revaluation special article ($10,000) and prioritization of debt articles; members requested itemization for prior‑year bills under $10,000 to comply with MGL. Member Simas later moved to close the warrant; the motion passed unanimously.
The Board voted to place a debt‑exclusion question for the proposed Highway Department building on the warrant and also voted to place a Mendon‑Upton Regional School District operating override question on the 2026 Annual Election ballot; both motions were moved and seconded and passed unanimously.
The Finance Committee adjourned at 9:30 PM, and the Select Board adjourned the meeting at 9:31 PM.
