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Town meeting approves $153.37 million FY27 operating budget and related transfers
Summary
Canton town meeting approved a series of finance committee motions that together set the FY27 operating budget at $153,365,031, including school, municipal, fixed costs and three enterprise funds; multiple motions passed by voice vote, with a two-thirds vote required and obtained for one transfer from a stabilization fund.
CANTON — The finance committee presented and town meeting approved a slate of budget motions under Article 48 that together set the town's fiscal year 2027 operating budget at $153,365,031.
Finance Committee Chair Emilio moved Motion 1 to transfer $5,997,203 from various available funds into the general fund to help pay FY27 operating expenses. "Motion 1 would transfer a total of $5,997,203 from the various available funds listed in the motion into the general fund," Emilio said. The motion carried on voice vote.
Motion 2 sought a two-thirds vote to transfer $183,083 from the Galvin Middle School capital stabilization account to pay first-year bond anticipation note debt service for the Galvin Middle School construction project. The moderator confirmed the two-thirds requirement; the motion was declared carried and recorded as unanimous for the record.
Motion 3 set salaries and compensation for certain elected officials for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; members heard that Motion 3 sets compensation but does not appropriate the funds (that occurs in Motion 4).
The finance committee then presented the large line items: the school department appropriation of $62,175,614; municipal operating items totaling $30,958,783; fixed costs of $40,591,510 (including debt service, insurance, retirement benefits and other mandated charges); and enterprise funds of $488,168 (rink), $8,378,001 (sewer) and $10,772,955 (water). The chair explained the methodology for allocating budget items is reviewed by the town's auditors to ensure compliance with Proposition 2 1/2 requirements.
The meeting voted on the combined grand total and the moderator announced the finance committee's recommended total operating budget of $153,365,031 as approved.
Before the budget deliberations, the meeting also recognized retiring Finance Director Randy Scollins for his municipal service; Finance Committee Chair Emilio paid tribute to Scollins' role since late 2019.
