Westbrook selectmen set procedure for department budget reviews and adjourn special meeting

The Westbrook Board of Selectmen met in a special session Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at the Mulvey Municipal Center (and via Zoom), agreed on a process for reviewing departmental budgets and adjourned at 6:36 p.m.

The board, called to order at 5:30 p.m. by First Selectman John Hall, III, said it will hear presentations from each department before holding a final vote on the overall town budget. Selectman Bialicki and Selectman Campbell joined Hall for the session; department and commission chairs and several department heads were available to answer questions.

Board members reiterated that recommended changes to any department budget will be adjusted when that department presents and that the Board reserves the right to revisit budgets after all presentations are complete. The budgets reviewed in the session included Recreation, Fire Marshal, Police, Nurses, the Board of Fire Commissioners, Assessor, Conservation Commission, IWWC, Board of Finance, BAA, Dog Fund, Insurance, Memberships & Dues, Benefits and Debt Service. Donna Castracane, Director of Finance, will update the budgets to reflect the discussions.

First Selectman Hall offered no separate First Selectman’s report. At the close of the meeting, Selectman Bialicki moved to adjourn at 6:36 p.m.; Selectman Campbell seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The minutes were attested by Suzanne Helchowski and signed on behalf of the board.

The board is scheduled to continue departmental presentations before taking a final vote on the town budget.