Warner approves $5.06 million 2026 operating budget after amendment fails; ambulance contract drives debate

Warner voters approved the town'026 operating budget on March 10, voting 148-48 by paper ballot after a motion to reduce spending failed on a voice vote.

Michael Cutting, who presented the operating budget, told attendees that several unavoidable cost increases drove the proposed $5,057,709 total. "Ambulance service: Hopkinton increased contract from $89,000 annually to $290,000 annually," Cutting said, adding that Warner relies on Hopkinton as its ambulance provider and an exact invoice will not arrive until May. He also identified a jump in the library llocation tied to the Pillsbury family funding agreement and lease-purchase payments for highway equipment as contributors to the increase.

Petitioner James Gaffney objected to the size of the increase and moved to amend the article to $4,800,000. "Unexpended funds are overbudgeting, so we need to find ways to save money," Gaffney said. The amendment was seconded but failed on a voice vote after Select Board members and the Budget Committee said department heads had already reduced discretionary expenses where feasible and that some costs (ambulance fees, Wheelabrator disposal charges) are beyond the town's control.

After the amendment failed, resident Andy Bodnarik requested a paper ballot on the original article; the ballot recorded 148 yes and 48 no, and the budget passed.

The meeting also included questions about transparency and capital planning: speakers asked for clearer CIP listings in the town report and pressed department heads on transfer-station equipment priorities and water-quality issues. Moderator Benjamin D. Frost moved procedural adjustments earlier in the meeting to accommodate timed ballot requirements for other petition articles.

Next steps: the budget as adopted takes effect for the 2026 fiscal year; the town will await the ambulance invoice in May to reconcile year-to-date expenses.