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Sterling Board of Finance holds public hearing on proposed 2026–27 budgets; residents seek clarifications
Summary
The Sterling Board of Finance held a public hearing April 29 to review itemized FY 2026–27 budget estimates from the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen and to receive resident comment. Residents asked questions about ambulance service funding, NECCOG fees, road resurfacing and whether the town will accept a LOCIP grant; the hearing adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
The Sterling Board of Finance convened a public hearing on April 29, 2026, at Sterling Town Hall to receive presentations of the Board of Education and Board of Selectmen proposed budgets for fiscal year 2026–27 and to accept public comment. Bob Salisbury, a member of the Board of Finance, opened the session at 7:00 p.m. and explained the hearing's purpose.
Sara Howley presented the Board of Education's itemized estimates for FY 2026–27 and Sara Sleboda presented the Board of Selectmen's itemized estimates and reviewed the town's Local Capital Improvement Plan projects. The transcript places these presentations on the record but does not provide line-by-line dollar details in the minutes distributed with the hearing record.
During the public comment period six residents spoke. Lincoln Cooper congratulated both boards on preparing budgets and said he had no questions. Stephanie Thompson asked for clarification on multiple line items, naming the Medical Intercept Program/ambulance service, administrative salaries, NECCOG fees for animal control and the town planner, legal fees for the planning department, road resurfacing, and proposed pay rate increases. "Medical Intercept Program/Ambulance Service; Admin Salaries; NECCOG Fees for Animal Control/Town Planner; Legal Fees for Planning Department; Road Resurfacing; Pay Rate Increases," she listed in her remarks.
Several speakers emphasized staffing and capital concerns: Stacy Choti said pay increases had improved employee retention, while Steve Thompson expressed concern that road resurfacing funding and capital account contributions had been reduced. Kim Gunn raised questions about debt payments and potential liabilities in the Water and Sewer accounts tied to reduced capital contributions.
William Sebastian urged the town to accept the state LOCIP grant, saying that turning it down "would be telling the state we don't want their free money." That comment framed the grant as a source the public urged the town to use rather than decline.
No formal decisions on budget approvals were recorded at the hearing. Peter Rabbitt moved to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Neil Delmonico and recorded in the minutes as "All in favor. Motion carried." Sara Sleboda, the recording secretary, signed the hearing minutes.
The Board of Finance received the presentations and public comments for consideration as it continues budget deliberations; the minutes record questions and requests for clarification rather than any final budget votes or line-item decisions.
