Sterling Board of Finance hears $8.0M budget proposal, schedules March 25 audit meeting

The Sterling Board of Finance on March 11 received a presentation of the Board of Selectmen’s proposed 2026–2027 budget, totaling $8,001,669, and was told the town audit is complete and will be presented at a special meeting on March 25.

Sara Sleboda, who presented the Board of Selectmen’s budget to the Board of Finance, said revenues have decreased because of reduced state grants and that the ambulance service budget increased; the ambulance increase was funded by reallocating money from the administrative line to avoid losing the American Legion as a client. Sleboda also said a pending grant could cover the salary for a grant administrator.

The board approved the Feb. 11 meeting minutes on a motion by Board member Peter Rabbitt, seconded by Vice Chair Neil Delmonico; the voice vote was 6-0 in favor. Members were told a copy of the completed audit will be distributed and that the Board of Finance will meet March 25 at 7:00 p.m. to receive the audit report, consider the Board of Education budget and approve year-end transfers.

The budget presentation included a discussion of reduced state grant revenue as a driver of increased local budget pressure and of short-term adjustments to preserve contracted services. The special March 25 meeting is intended to give the board time to review audit findings and act on transfers before the wider budget calendar.

The Board of Finance’s next regular meeting is scheduled for April 8; the board also discussed dates for the public budget hearing and town meeting (see separate item).