Selectmen propose $1.77M change to FY 2026–27 budget; proposed mill rate 24.48 would raise household bills

At a special meeting on April 7, the Selectmen presented their proposed FY 2026–2027 town budget and reviewed capital priorities and tax impacts. The presentation listed a total budget change of $1,770,000 and proposed a mill rate of 24.48; officials said, if no further changes are made, the plan would result in an estimated total tax increase of about $2,095 per household.

Key proposed spending and changes included a firehouse bond, a $92,000 allocation for pension funding within employee benefits, a $65,000 Highway Department increase (described as offset by a grant), and a proposal to add one full-time police officer while weighing full-time versus part-time staffing. The Finance Department would receive a new position funded through WPCA, Parks & Recreation a 6% increase, and Town Hall operations would include internet and phone upgrades. The proposal also noted an increase in audit fees for the Board of Finance and several department staffing adjustments.

Capital needs flagged in the presentation included $300,000 for Town Hall structural repairs and significant repairs at the firehouse museum. Officials discussed the potential sale of town buildings to raise revenue and recommended adding $500,000 to the capital plan for 2027–2028 to cover capping the landfill at the transfer station.

The presentation also reviewed components that could offset tax impacts: motor-vehicle taxes were projected to decrease by roughly $178 per vehicle and a sewer-bond payoff would reduce taxes by about $68 per household. Officials cautioned that these figures depend on final budget, capital and financing decisions.

Formal action at the meeting was limited to a motion to adjourn: Kathryn Russell moved to adjourn, Jackie Calamari seconded, and the meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM. The transcript does not include a roll-call vote tally for the adjournment or for any budget adoption.