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Westbrook Board reviews BOS-approved FY27 budget; flags department and grant funding changes
Summary
The Board reviewed the Board of Selectmen-approved FY27 operating budget, recommending targeted line-item changes for the Town Clerk, a $25,000 transportation increase for Social Services, and possible funding adjustments for several grant-supported agencies. Finance staff said financial obligations are expected to be met and will follow up with grant applicants not present.
Paul Winch, Chair of the Westbrook Board of Finance, led a review of the Board of Selectmen-approved FY27 operating budget and department budgets at the March 18 meeting.
Town Clerk budget adjustments discussed included removing $700 for temporary payroll; increasing advertising from $1,000 to $2,000 to cover statutory English and Spanish notices; reducing general office supplies from $1,400 to $1,000; reducing archival supplies from $4,000 to $3,000; revising projected recording fee revenue from $85,000 to $65,000; increasing projected conveyance tax revenue to $280,000; reducing copies revenue to $4,500; and increasing conservation land record revenue to $5,000. The board reviewed these line-item changes as part of the FY27 operating budget presentation.
Jane Butterworth, Treasurer, summarized broader financial context: "The fed is keeping rates where they currently are. There may be a change by the end of the year, and one is likely next year." Finance Director Donna Castracane reported that all financial obligations are expected to be met; she said she will reach out to grant agencies not present who are requesting funding.
Department-specific items flagged for further review included the Visiting Nurses (revisit revenue assumptions), Senior Center (revisit revenue expectations), and Social Services, which requested an increase of $25,000 in General Assistance for transportation and adding two administrative assistant hours per week. Grant-funded agency items included a possible $10,000 reduction for Youth and Family (from $127,000 to $117,000) pending utilization data; a $500 reduction for Gilead Community Services to $3,000; and a potential $5,000 reduction for the Center for Behavioral Health Services or the possibility of maintaining current support. The board listed Middlesex County Substance Abuse Action Council, New Horizons, and Women and Family Life Center for further review of donation amounts.
On routine procedural items during the meeting the board unanimously accepted the Treasurer's report and the financial report update. The board approved the February 18, 2026 and March 12, 2026 minutes; the minutes approval passed with one abstention from Jim Dahl on the March 12 minutes. The meeting adjourned at 9:57 p.m.
The board discussed scheduling a follow-up meeting next week to review contingency items and budgets for departments that have not completed presentations.
