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Selectmen approve FY27 budgets for Norwood Light and Broadband; no electric rate increase proposed
Summary
The Board of Selectmen approved the FY27 electric and broadband budgets presented by the Light Department, with no electric rate increase planned and a projected ~1.18% increase in the electric budget to cover higher purchase‑power costs; broadband budget falls ~14–15% as the authority transitions toward fiber.
Norwood’s Board of Selectmen voted unanimously June 9 to approve the fiscal year 2027 budgets for the Light Department and the town‑operated broadband service.
D. M. Rossi, superintendent of the Light Department, told the board the electric budget is being proposed without a rate increase even as purchase‑power costs rise by about $1.6 million. "We're proposing this budget with no rate increases," Rossi said, and explained the increase in purchase‑power costs and modest salary and operating changes would be covered by rate stabilization and a small overall line‑item adjustment that produces a 1.18% increase in the electric budget.
The broadband budget is shrinking by roughly 14–15 percent compared with FY26 as the system transitions from a hybrid HFC/cable configuration toward a full fiber‑to‑the‑premises plant. Staff said cutting programming costs and consolidating plants will lower operating expenses and leave the broadband operation profitable during the conversion.
Selectmen commended staff for planning work and approved both budgets in a unanimous vote. Managers said they will return with more detailed capital project lists and will meet again with the board to review transmission and other planned upgrades.
