Reviews the town's entire budget and makes recommendations on how your tax dollars are spent.
33 items across 5 meetings.
May 4, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Meeting called to order at 6:31 PM with quorum present.
✅ Approved
Prior meeting minutes approved unanimously.
💬 Discussed
$595,058 from Free Cash recommended to cover this year's Snow & Ice budget shortfall.
💰 $595,058 from Free Cash
💬 Discussed
$1,100,000 from Free Cash recommended as a one-time contribution toward the FY27 operating budget.
💰 $1,100,000 from Free Cash
💬 Discussed
$2,975,000 from Free Cash plus $500,000 from Overlay Surplus (total $3,475,000) recommended for improvements; bids due May 14, secret ballot planned at Town Meeting.
💰 $3,475,000 ($2,975,000 Free Cash + $500,000 Overlay Surplus)
📍 William A. Rice Recreation Complex
💬 Discussed
Article 14 added to clarify the pavilion scope within the Rice Complex project.
📍 William A. Rice Recreation Complex
💬 Discussed
Recommended: Fire Station 2 generator replacement ($75,000), Fiske Public Library children's/teen furniture ($55,000), and DPW wood chipper ($29,000).
💰 $75,000 + $55,000 + $29,000 from Free Cash
💬 Discussed
Recommended transfers: $50,000 to General Stabilization (reaching 5% of proposed FY27 operating budget), $80,000 to Capital Stabilization, and $28,000 to new Special Education Stabilization Fund.
💰 $158,000 total
💬 Discussed
$100,000 total ($60,000 Free Cash + $40,000 Water) recommended for the OPEB (retiree benefit) Trust.
💰 $60,000 Free Cash + $40,000 Water
💬 Discussed
$75,000 for FY27 Water Enterprise Fund budget and $215,000 for Water System Improvements recommended from Water Retained Earnings.
💰 $290,000 from Water Retained Earnings
💬 Discussed
Debt service impact and MSBA reimbursement discussed; effective reimbursement rate is lower than the stated 54.33% due to ineligible expenses, with detailed cost data to be prepared for voters.
💰 MSBA reimbursement rate below stated 54.33%; total project cost not specified in minutes
📍 Roderick Elementary School
💬 Discussed
Proposed bylaw changes reviewed, including capital project voting thresholds (Article 15); General Bylaw Review Committee to meet promptly before Town Meeting.
💬 Discussed
Proposed zoning change to allow a self-service storage facility on Route 1 discussed as part of warrant review.
📍 Route 1
💬 Discussed
Proposed zoning amendments for Accessory Dwelling Units reviewed as part of warrant articles.
💬 Discussed
South Street rezoning proposal reviewed as part of non-financial warrant articles.
📍 South Street
💬 Discussed
Next meeting set for May 18 to ratify final warrant articles/motions and assign Town Meeting presenters; final Rice Complex bid amount to be included.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned unanimously at 7:15 PM.