The meeting opened with discussion on the library’s budget, focusing on its request for a 4% increase in the town appropriation for the fiscal year 2026. This increase, amounting to a proposed operating budget of $388,672, reflects a 3.2% rise from the previous year. The library plans to draw over $146,000 from its endowment and anticipates contributions from the Friends of the Library. However, staffing shortages were highlighted, with three unfilled full-time positions and a need for more personnel to meet the demands of a busy library system. The library’s reliance on municipal appropriations for capital and personnel costs remains critical, with efforts to diversify revenue through grants and community donations underway. Rising healthcare costs were noted as a significant pressure on the library’s budget, with benefits expenses surging from $354,000 to $478,000 within a year.

In discussions surrounding the capital improvement plan, council members addressed the financial outlook for FY26, which was described as balanced. However, significant deficits are projected for subsequent fiscal years, particularly FY27, with a $4 million shortfall anticipated. The conversation explored the adjustments to debt levels and the rationale behind these changes, noting that the budget for FY26 had been balanced primarily due to better estimates of actual debt. Concerns were raised about the omission of Chapter 90 funds from the current CIP, which had historically been included as part of the road funding sources. The omission could lead to misunderstandings about available resources for road maintenance, and council members emphasized the need for transparency in showing all funding sources.

The management and funding of electric school buses and related infrastructure were also discussed. A participant questioned the clarity of the figures presented, particularly given a prior council authorization for leasing electric school buses. The $200,000 allocated in the CIP was clarified as a down payment on the lease of the buses, intended to cover both capital expenses and maintenance agreements. The $80,000 allocated in the elementary school budget pertains to the annual lease payments for the buses. The implications of the town funding improvements to a building it does not own were also debated, with concerns about the ownership and value of the improvements and infrastructure.

Further deliberation ensued about the impact of using CIP funds on other capital projects, particularly road improvements. The allocation of $450,000 to the sixth-grade move means that amount cannot be used for other projects starting July 1, prompting queries about how the town would manage capital expenditures once free cash is certified in November.

The meeting also focused on the maintenance budgets for municipal buildings, noting an increase from $500,000 to $1 million for roof maintenance. However, none of the funds from the previous year had been spent, resulting in $1.5 million available but unaccounted for. The council expressed a desire for a clearer process of tracking expenditures, with a suggestion to include Crocker School in ongoing building assessments.

Public safety and infrastructure improvements were another area of concern, particularly regarding the fire department’s public safety radio system replacement, which had increased in cost from $900,000 to $1.1 million. The need for transparency in budget communication and managing resident expectations about infrastructure improvements was emphasized.