Westbrook selectmen review $16.15 million FY26/27 town operating budget; final vote set after department presentations

At a special meeting Jan. 29, 2026, the Westbrook Board of Selectmen reviewed the town’s proposed FY26/27 operating budget and agreed to await the completion of all department presentations before taking a final vote.

Donna Castracane, the town’s director of finance, distributed budget binders to board members and provided an overview of the topline figures: the town operating budget request, not including the Board of Education, totals $16,151,976, an increase of $1,419,068, or 9.6%, over the current fiscal year. When fixed charges are included, Castracane reported the overall increase across town departments is 4.2%, or $383,391.

Board members reiterated the process used in prior years: each department will present its proposed budget to the Board of Selectmen, and any recommended adjustments will be made during those discussions. The board reserved the right to revisit budgets after the full presentation cycle before finalizing a vote.

During the meeting the board reviewed budgets for Energy, the zoning board of appeals, information technology, the town clerk, registrars, the harbor commission, the first selectman’s office, human resources, general engineering, legal services, finance, the fire department, emergency management and telecommunications. Department heads and commission chairs were present in person or by Zoom to answer questions from the selectmen.

Castracane confirmed she will update the budget documents to reflect the changes and clarifications discussed during the presentations. The agenda item listed a First Selectman’s report but no remarks were made under that heading.

Selectman Bialicki moved to adjourn at 6:15 p.m.; Selectman Campbell seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The board will continue departmental budget presentations at subsequent meetings before scheduling a final vote on the FY26/27 budget.