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Board of Finance advances $21.97 million 2026–27 budget to public hearing
Summary
At an April 28 special meeting, the Board of Finance voted unanimously to send the Selectmen-recommended $21,974,884 budget to a public hearing, citing a $387,000 funding gap and an estimated mill rate of 23.6 that could raise the average homeowner tax bill by about $1,600.
The Board of Finance voted April 28 to send the Selectmen-recommended 2026–2027 fiscal year budget to a public hearing after reviewing projected revenues and line-item changes.
Chairman Tim Puglielli called the special meeting to order at 6:00 PM at Richard H. Smith Town Hall. The board reviewed an operating plan that lists total expenses of $21,974,884 and a funding gap of $387,000; a motion to move the proposal to a public hearing passed unanimously after a motion by Jackie Calamari and a second by Michael Weglarz.
Board materials showed overall town expenses projected to rise 0.2% while revenues are projected to fall by 0.16% for the coming fiscal year. The review identified a number of line-item adjustments: the Fire Marshal salary will be reassigned to the Deputy Fire Marshal (a net increase of $875 for that line); recycling fees were reduced to $6,000 because services are covered through June 2027; and the library program budget increases by $4,000. The review also recommended adding Everbridge, a public alert system, to the budget and noted rising sand-and-salt costs for road maintenance.
Personnel and program shifts include a $17,000 increase in the Social Services salary line to cover one retirement and expanded hours for a part-time employee, and anticipated higher costs for Parks & Recreation summer programs. The board discussed Region 4 school per-pupil costs and suggested further coordination with elementary schools to try to reduce expenses. The Tree Warden line was also identified for an increase to provide appropriate compensation.
The review cited the town’s recent property revaluation as a primary driver of the estimated tax impact: the materials show an average homeowner tax increase of about $1,600, a result of residential property values rising faster than commercial property values during revaluation. Staff noted a preliminary mill rate estimate of 23.6 for the fiscal year under the draft numbers.
The motion that advanced the budget to a public hearing called for using a mill rate reflecting the stated $387,000 gap; the motion passed unanimously. The transcript does not record individual vote tallies or which members voted yes, only that the motion passed unanimously.
The board adjourned at 7:53 PM after a motion by Carmela Balducci and a second from Jackie Calamari. The public hearing date and any subsequent changes to line items were not specified in the meeting record.
