The Select Board recommended a $69.81 million Fiscal Year 2027 general fund budget by a 4-1 vote, including approximately $226,391 more for the school department based on updated state aid projections. The Board withheld a recommendation on about $300,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 utility budget transfers pending final invoices and figures.

3 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 28, 2026

Select Board advances budget and town policies

The Board reviewed an FY2027 budget update showing approximately $1.1 million more in projected year-over-year state aid, including nearly $450,000 in additional education funding, and approved seasonal water restrictions for May 1 through September 30, 2026.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 27, 2026

Select Board Reviews FY27 Budget Challenges

The Select Board reviewed FY27 budget scenarios, including a potential 4.5%–4.53% school budget increase after previously communicating a 4.25% target; no formal action was taken.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Apr 7, 2026

Select Board reviews budgets, rates, and housing plans

The Select Board reviewed draft Annual Town Meeting funding proposals, including $700,000 for EMS, approximately $2.8 million in capital investments, and preliminary utility rate increases of 3.5% for water, 5% for sewer, and 10% for solid waste.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Mar 24, 2026

Board Approves PFAS Financing and Election Warrants

The Select Board unanimously authorized bond paperwork for an interim loan supporting PFAS Treatment Plant construction and signed warrants for the May 5 Annual Town Election and May 18 Annual Town Meeting. The Board also reviewed a conceptual Shrewsbury Housing Authority expansion that could add approximately 20–22 Elizabeth Gardens units, subject to further study and funding.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Feb 24, 2026

Select Board sets Annual Town Meeting date

The Select Board set the Annual Town Meeting for May 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Oak Middle School, with May 19 and 20 reserved as backup dates. The Town Manager also presented a Fiscal Year 2027 budget projection balanced through FY2029, while identifying increased public safety, information technology, and utility costs.

3 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Feb 10, 2026

Board Reviews Storm Response and Approves Licenses

The Town Manager reported that the January 26 snowstorm produced approximately 19–24 inches of snow and exposed staffing, contractor, and equipment problems that delayed snow removal. The Town will hold after-action meetings; the Town is not moving forward with fixed license plate reader cameras at this time.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Feb 3, 2026

Select Board reviews tax relief and budget pressures

Preliminary FY2027 budget requests total approximately $1.4 million for 17.5 new positions, but projected requests exceed available funding by roughly $1 million. The board also reviewed potential changes to property tax relief programs and received an update on possible water and sewer fee adjustments; no formal action was taken.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jan 27, 2026

FY2027 Budget Faces $2.1 Million Shortfall

The Town Manager reported a projected $2.1 million shortfall in the FY2027 municipal budget, with department reductions underway and an estimated $317,000 increase in state aid.

2 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jan 13, 2026

Select Board Reviews FY27 Budget Outlook

The Select Board began reviewing the FY2027 budget, which projects approximately $195.7 million in revenue, a $2.2 million initial gap, and requests for about 17.5 new positions.

1 min readMunicipal coverage

Briefing

Jan 6, 2026

Financial forecast guides future budget planning

The FY2027 departmental requests exceed projected available revenues by approximately $2.1 million to $2.2 million. The Board identified health insurance as the forecast’s fastest-growing and largest single cost driver and discussed a possible future override, community summit, and public hearings.

2 min readMunicipal coverage