Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fairhaven board gets first look at budget, warned Jan. 6 approval deadline
Summary
Selectboard reviewed an initial FY budget showing a large DPW increase, cuts to reserves and a Jan. 6, 2026 state compliance deadline; members directed follow-up line-item review with DPW scheduled to present at the next meeting.
The Fairhaven Selectboard on Thursday reviewed the town's first-look budget packet and was warned that the budget must be finalized by Jan. 6, 2026, to remain in compliance with state rules. Staff said the packet includes separate public works and general-fund proposals and noted the board's earlier guidance to cap increases at about 3 percent while directing more funds to infrastructure.
"This is just 1st look at... You should have 2 strategies," the staff member said while outlining the packet and the two main funds. He told the board DPW's request resulted in a roughly 9.5 percent increase for that department while most other departments showed less than a 1 percent change. He added that paving funding was increased by $61,000 and that hauling fees for the transfer station rose 35 percent to $70,000.
Board members asked for follow-up detail and for DPW to present their line-by-line requests at the next meeting. The Chair urged newer board members to compare the proposed numbers with the general ledger to see where actual spending diverged from prior requests. "That'll let you see what they asked for and what we actually used," the Chair said.
Staff also warned that some reserve funds have been zeroed out and several line items—economic development, legal services and rent replacement—were cut to absorb costs, while some debt was paid down. The board directed staff to continue detailed review, schedule DPW for the next meeting and return with clarifying documentation.
