Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lynnfield reports multi‑hundred‑thousand dollar shortfalls, spending freeze remains in place
Summary
Finance Director Castellarin told the Select Board the town has an $803,000 general fund deficit, a roughly $650,000 snow-and-ice deficit, $1.2 million in uncollected FY2026 real estate taxes, and free cash down to $273,000; the board scheduled follow-up meetings with the Finance Committee.
Finance Director Castellarin reported June 8 that the town has been operating under a mandatory spending freeze since March 1 to protect general ledger categories from a roughly $650,000 snow‑and‑ice deficit. Castellarin said general fund revenues show an $803,000 deficit, with $1.2 million in FY2026 real estate taxes still uncollected and free cash at a multi‑year low of $273,000.
Town staff said demand notifications have been sent to delinquent taxpayers and that the town is prepared to use statutory enforcement tools — including halting building permit issuance and pursuing tax‑title processes with newspaper advertising and foreclosure for accounts delinquent beyond five years — if collections do not improve. Final ledger reconciliation numbers were expected after teacher payroll and June state aid postings.
The Select Board scheduled a remote session with the Finance Committee on July 13 to review year‑end line transfers and an in‑person alignment session on July 27 to consider longer‑term structural tracking protocols.
