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Committee approves transfer for legal costs after zoning and land‑use lawsuits drive overage
Summary
Finance approved a transfer to cover a $60,000 legal expense overage, which staff tied primarily to zoning and land‑use litigation, drawing a 6‑1 vote on the request.
The Finance and Advisory Committee voted to approve Transfer 1‑5 to cover legal expenses that exceeded the FY26 budget by about $60,000.
Town staff member Wendy Brough told the Committee the legal overage stemmed mainly from lawsuits related to zoning and land use. The legal line had been budgeted at $120,000 but prior year expenses reached $151,000; to cover the FY26 shortfall staff tapped other lines (Veteran Benefits, Shellfish Laborer, and Public Health Nursing Services). The motion, moved by Mike Taus and seconded by Christine Todd, passed 6‑1‑0 with Maura McGroarty voting Nay.
Committee members discussed the drivers of legal costs and the need to monitor litigation‑related spending in future budgets.
