Board schedules special meeting to review school budget; town budget priorities outlined

The Sharon Board of Finance on March 17 scheduled a special meeting for Thursday, March 19 at 4:00 p.m. to finalize direction on the Board of Education's proposed 2026-27 budget before the BOF's response deadline on March 20.

Dr. O—Reilly, identified in the transcript as the Board of Education chair, summarized the BOE budget process and highlighted anticipated changes, including an expected 14 tuition-paying students next year that would generate $41,250. The BOE requested that those tuition receipts be credited to the BOE budget rather than the Board of Selectmen's budget. The BOE also reported receipt of DRIP funds totaling $33,358.46; Region One was reported as receiving $41,953.61. O'Reilly said these DRIP funds would not affect the MBR.

First Selectman Flanagan reviewed major increases proposed in the Board of Selectmen's 2026-27 budget, citing infrastructure and EMS services as drivers. He said projecting replacements for long-serving retiring employees and municipal solid waste costs remains difficult. Flanagan reported estimated road repair costs of $778,625, with $430,000 allocated in the town budget, $100,000 proposed from LoCIP and the balance to come from State Aid for Road funds. He also recommended reducing Line Item 41f (interest on a temporary loan) to $117,000 and increasing anticipated tuition receipts to $41,250.

Flanagan briefed the Board on the town's obligations at the Amenia Landfill, saying the town must continue mandated testing through at least 2031 and that the town's engineering firm has petitioned to reduce testing levels; whether the town can settle its monetary obligation now is unknown.

The Board set the special meeting to discuss the BOE budget and provide direction to the BOE ahead of the March 20 deadline.