Article 10. Fiscal Year 2027 Town Budget

ARTICLE 10. To determine whether the Town will raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds, the sum of $65,331,467 for the necessary and expedient purposes of the Town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, as detailed in the chart published on the Town’s website and incorporated in the Town Meeting Briefing Book;

And further, that the Town Manager be authorized to turn in or sell at public auction surplus equipment, the amount allowed or received therefore to be applied against the purchase of new equipment;

That the appropriation for Salary Reserve under Line Item 10 shall be transferred by the Town Manager to the various salary line items in accordance with Non-Union salary levels established effective July 1, 2026 and the implementation of the Non-Union merit pay plan in accordance with Section 10.2 (2) of the Personnel Bylaws, and any and all collective bargaining agreements in effect for FY27; and

That the Town authorize the funds to be expended from the Title 5 Septic Loan Betterment Reserve Account to meet the loan payments to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust due and payable during FY2027;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Article Explanation

The Town Budget Article provides for all General Fund (tax-supported) Town operations and activities organized by Town Charter under the direction of the Town Manager. The total appropriation presented here for consideration for Town Meeting approval meets the Finance Committee’s guideline set for FY27. The text above also makes certain other appropriations from Stabilization and Enterprise Funds, as well as authorizes certain other transfers.

Article Motion

Mr. Howell moves to raise and appropriate the sum of $65,331,467 as detailed in the chart published on the Town’s website and incorporated in the Town Meeting Briefing Book Items 1 through 13 for the necessary and expedient purposes of the Town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and that the same be expended only for such purposes under the direction of the Town Manager; and to transfer the following amount:

• $210,438 from the Cemetery Fund; 
• $188,294 from the Sewer Fund;
• $564,881 from the Water Fund;
• $428,383 from the Light Fund;
• $179,305 from the Solid Waste Fund;
• $64,707 from the Stormwater Fund;
• $164,725 from the Swim & Fitness Fund;
• $47,644 from the Telecom Fund;
• $31,963 from the PEG Access Fund;
• $1,618,041 from the Pension Reserve Fund;
• $219,692 from the Recreation Fund; and 
• $7,500 from the Transportation Network Fund;

And further, that the Town Manager is authorized to turn in or sell at public auction surplus equipment, the amount allowed or received therefore to be applied against the purchase of new equipment; and further 

 That the appropriation for Salary Reserve under Line Item 10 shall be transferred by the Town Manager to the various salary line items in accordance with Non-Union salary levels established effective July 1, 2026 and the implementation of the Non-Union 

merit pay plan in accordance with Section 10.2 (2) of the Personnel Bylaws, and any and all collective bargaining agreements in effect for FY27;  and further 

 That the Town authorize the funds to be expended from the Title 5 Septic Loan Betterment Reserve Account to meet the loan payments to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust due and payable during FY2027.