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West Stockbridge Town Meeting approves FY2027 budget, $3.96 million school assessment and multiple capital purchases
Summary
At its May 4, 2026 Annual Town Meeting, West Stockbridge voters approved the FY2027 budget package including a $3,961,550 operating assessment for the Berkshire Hills Regional School District and several capital items: a $315,400 DPW truck, $400,000 rescue mini-pumper, and SCBA replacements. Many articles passed by voice vote with motions "made, seconded and approved."
West Stockbridge voters approved the town’s FY2027 operating budgets and a slate of capital and special appropriations during the Annual Town Meeting on May 4, 2026.
The meeting approved the Berkshire Hills Regional School District operating assessment of $3,961,550 for FY2027, an increase of $416,969 from the prior year, and a capital assessment of $18,527. The school assessments were recommended by the Finance Committee and the Select Board and were approved by motion.
The town also approved section-by-section appropriations for general government ($924,608 listed for FY2027), protection of persons and property ($1,242,395), public works and facilities ($827,366), human services ($68,550), culture and recreation ($82,325), debt and interest ($273,207), and intergovernmental expenses ($11,240). Sewer and water enterprise budgets were approved as offsets to user receipts: $256,868 for sewer operations and $90,385 for water operations.
Voters approved several capital and special items recommended by the Finance Committee and Select Board. Notable approvals included: - $315,400 to purchase a replacement truck for the Department of Public Works (Article 26; required two-thirds vote and was approved). - $400,000 to purchase a rescue mini-pumper for Fire Department Rescue 3 (Article 28; required two-thirds vote and was approved). - $88,000 for SCBA replacements for the Fire Department (Article 27; required two-thirds vote and was approved). - $20,000 for replacement hose nozzles for the Fire Department (Article 25; required two-thirds vote and was approved). - A Tri-Town Connector handicap‑accessible van match of $18,205 from certified free cash (Article 23). - Transfers of $35,025 each to the General Stabilization Fund and the Capital Stabilization Fund (Articles 29 and 30).
The meeting also approved Community Preservation Committee recommendations including an accessible ramp for the Congregational Church, playground upgrades, dog park infrastructure and historical society electrical and alarm upgrades, with specified appropriations drawn from FY27 CPA revenues and reserves.
Nearly all budget and appropriation articles reported the outcome as "motion made, seconded and approved" in the minutes; the record does not provide roll-call tallies or named vote counts. Several appropriation articles required a two-thirds vote and the minutes note those items passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Next steps: the approved appropriations will be incorporated into the town’s FY2027 operating and capital plans and, where noted, funded from certified free cash, transfers or borrowing as authorized at Town Meeting.
