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Chester selectmen and finance board approve $19.3 million FY2026-27 budget, create mill-rate stabilization fund
Summary
The Town of Chester’s Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance on April 7 unanimously approved a $19,311,304 draft municipal budget for fiscal 2026-27, added $100,000 to buffer projected school enrollment costs, authorized $5,800 for online permitting software funded by a modest per-permit fee, and voted to create a mill-rate stabilization fund.
The Town of Chester’s Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance on April 7 unanimously approved a draft municipal budget of $19,311,304 for fiscal 2026-27 and voted to create a mill-rate stabilization fund, forwarding the budget to a public hearing April 28 at Chester Town Hall.
First Selectwoman Lignar called the Board of Selectmen to order at 6:31 p.m., and Chairman John Chillock called the Board of Finance to order. Attendance was recorded for both bodies, including remote participation by Justin Kronholm. On a motion made and duly seconded, the joint boards first approved the minutes of the March 31 joint budget meeting.
During a final review of operating and capital expenditures, officials added $5,800 to the Building Department budget to purchase online permitting software, PermitLink. The boards said the software will be self-funded by an anticipated additional permit fee of roughly $15 to $18 per permit and is expected to be initiated July 1, 2026.
Officials also discussed projected increases in the regional school district’s Average Daily Membership for FY27/28 and the potential tax impact on Chester. To help smooth future tax effects, the boards added $100,000 to the draft FY26/27 town budget.
Separately, the boards unanimously voted to create a Mill Rate Stabilization Fund; members said the fund’s parameters will be developed at a later date. The Board of Finance reported the General Fund Reserve at 21.32% of the budget, within its stated policy range of 18% to 22%, and agreed to revisit reserve levels in October 2026 after the final ADM for FY27/28 is issued.
The joint boards voted unanimously to accept the draft FY26/27 budget and forward it to a public hearing on April 28, 2026 at Chester Town Hall. No members of the public spoke during the audience-of-citizens portion of the meeting. The joint meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
Next steps: the budget will be considered at the public hearing on April 28, where residents may comment before final action.
