Finance Committee approves FY27 budget, level-funds Park & Rec and debates BOS stipend approach

The Chester Finance Committee voted May 7 to approve the town’s proposed FY27 budget after a detailed review that included a level-funded allocation for Park and Recreation, discussion of Board of Selectmen stipends and town insurance costs, and follow-up items for the next meeting.

Florence Bolduc, who called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., moved to accept the budget “as is” after committee review; Nick Chiusano seconded the motion and the committee approved it unanimously. Earlier in the meeting, Sr. Judith Dalesandro moved to accept the April 30, 2026 minutes; Bolduc seconded and that motion also passed unanimously.

Jessica Sakaske and Barbara Huntoon, representing the Park and Recreation Committee, presented the group’s FY27 request and the committee decided to level-fund Park & Rec for the upcoming year. The Finance Committee cited overlapping events in nearby towns and uncertain attendance as reasons for a conservative approach. The committee noted Park & Rec’s separate donation account balance at approximately $202 and said that a porta-potty, if required for events, could be paid from the committee’s expense account. Huntoon asked that the committee consider a Town Hall speakers line item for the Annual Town Meeting warrant and said Park & Rec had secured a speaker system for Memorial Day through a band performing at Chester on Track.

The committee broadened its review to town governance pay and staffing. Board of Selectmen member Craig Gauthier described work he has done for the town to reduce costs; committee members separated two distinct topics: whether BOS stipends should be increased and whether the town should budget for a paid handyman or have departments bill for work performed by a volunteer or selectman. No final decision on a handyman role was made; members said the subject may appear at the Annual Town Meeting.

The committee debated how to adjust stipends for selectmen if increases are warranted. Jon Williams proposed gradual annual increases modeled on the approach used for the Fire Chief’s salary. Some discussion referenced a five‑year timetable; transcript references to target amounts include both $25,000 and a conflicting $5,000 figure that were not clarified in the meeting record. Andrew Alward urged a year‑by‑year approach rather than making multi‑year promises. Sr. Judith Dalesandro moved to adopt the year‑by‑year approach as discussed; Nick Chiusano seconded. The motion passed with one dissenting vote from Williams (recorded in the minutes as 5–1).

Members also spent time on employee health insurance, describing it as a substantial and growing portion of the town budget. Committee members said the current carrier has caused recurring problems and noted the town pays 80% of employee premiums while employees pay 20%. Brian Forgue, present at the meeting, told the committee there are limited insurer options for municipalities. Jon Williams recommended the Finance Committee form a subcommittee to examine insurance costs and options closely.

Other budget topics included discussion of departmental spending patterns and whether to set baseline budget lines using prior‑year actual expenditures; the committee noted the Council on Aging’s recent experience, where low activity in prior years led to cuts and a subsequent larger requested increase.

The Committee set its next meeting for May 14, 2026, at the Fire Station to continue discussion about the distribution of Free Cash to stabilization funds and to revisit insurance costs. The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.