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Select Board trims several FY27 lines to hold non‑school increase; FINCOM adds reserve
Summary
The Select Board reviewed the FY27 operating budget workbook, shaded recent revisions for clarity, and approved a consolidated referral to the finance committee. Several departmental lines were reduced and FINCOM increased the reserve fund from $50,000 to $80,000 to cover uncertainties.
The West Newbury Select Board reviewed a revised FY27 operating budget workbook and approved referring a consolidated proposal to the finance committee after line‑by‑line review. Staff displayed a workbook with prior years’ spending and a 'select board referred' column; recently changed cells were shaded to help the board identify edits.
Board and staff said the town used an aggregate approach this year—delaying individual line votes until a referral—to create a single, definitive referral for FINCOM. At a posted working meeting before the referral, board members and staff went through department budgets to find reductions that would allow a modest cost‑of‑living adjustment while keeping the non‑school budget increase near the board’s guideline.
Following a joint meeting with FINCOM, the board reported several adjustments: reductions to police overtime and related expense lines; a reduction to the fire expense line; a cut to the library books and periodicals line (staff stressed this was a single line‑item change, not a 30% cut to the library’s total operations); DPW tree removal funding was reduced by $35,000; and the water department’s proposed hydrant fee increase was paused pending results of a rate study.
FINCOM also increased the reserve fund from $50,000 to $80,000 to provide flexibility if cuts prove insufficient. Staff said some departments will use existing revolving or grant funds to offset pressures where allowed (examples include library incentive funds and wetland protection act funds for ConCom work).
Board members emphasized the importance of clear public messaging about what was changed and why—particularly to explain the library adjustment as a targeted change to a publications line rather than an overall cut. They agreed to build a short public explanation ahead of the town warrant distribution and to add a select‑board referral meeting on next year’s budget schedule so departments have an opportunity to respond before FINCOM consideration.
No final town‑meeting votes were taken at the Select Board meeting; the board’s referral and FINCOM discussion will be reflected in the town meeting booklet.
