Town Manager Derek Brindisi delivered a sobering financial outlook to the Committee of Precinct Chairs on Thursday, revealing that a $9 million budget gap has forced the elimination of critical public safety and infrastructure positions. Despite property taxes accounting for 73% of town revenue, Brindisi explained that soaring fixed costs are drastically outpacing new growth. Our expenses are outpacing our revenues, Brindisi said, noting that health insurance costs alone spiked by $5.1 million this year. To balance the FY27 proposal, the town was forced to slash $3.7 million from municipal operations, mirroring similar cuts on the school side. 72% of our budget represents our workforce. When you cut people, you're cutting services, Brindisi warned, highlighting the loss of requests for eight additional firefighters, two police cruisers, and eight IT personnel.

The strain of these cuts sparked immediate concern regarding the town's long-term sustainability. Katherine Holmes noted that residents are feeling the same pinch in their daily lives, stating, Our residents are also paying more for groceries and health care. I would like to see further cuts happening; this isn't sustainable for residents. Assessing the process of these reductions, Carmen Lefery asked, Could you explain how these budgets are reviewed? Is it with one committee or individual departments? Brindisi detailed a multi-month process involving department heads, the Select Board, and five subcommittees of the Advisory and Finance Committee. When Chris Merrill asked if there was any opportunity for the town to refinance any debt to find relief, Finance Director Lynn Barrett clarified that current market rates are significantly higher than the town’s existing low rates, making refinancing unfeasible. Barrett also clarified the impact of rising insurance premiums, noting the town activities and retirees are 37% and the school is 63% of that burden.

The committee also debated Article 13, which proposes moving $5 million from free cash into a Facility Capital Maintenance Stabilization Fund. Ron Riley questioned the scale of the transfer, asking, Why such a large jump of $5 million for this fund? What are we looking at here? Brindisi defended the move as a prudent way to save for major structural needs like roof replacements or Memorial Hall renovations. However, Dale Weber challenged the logic of funding buildings while freezing staff positions. How do you square appropriating $5 million for buildings while freezing craftsman positions? Weber asked. We're leaving boots-on-the-ground maintenance bare-bones and then outsourcing the work at prevailing wages. The conversation shifted to whether more departments could be outsourced to save on benefits. IT Director Joe Young pushed back against outsourcing his entire department, revealing the sheer scale of digital threats facing the town. We had 63.4 million emails in 2025, most of which were threats we have to monitor, Young said, arguing that specialized in-house staff are essential for security despite the department's hybrid use of 24/7 third-party monitoring.

Tensions rose during the discussion of Article 18, which includes $220,000 for lighting and irrigation at Training Green. Parks and Forestry Superintendent Nick Filla argued the funding is necessary for safety and the survival of new grass following walkway construction. Lighting is for safety, accessibility, and preventing vandalism, Filla said. The priority of the project was questioned by Robert Freeland, who asked, Out of all the parks, why was this number two in priority? Why not Hedges Pond? while Pat Salman inquired about the annual cost of the lighting and maintenance of the irrigation. Public opposition was voiced by Ken Stone, who noted that the Advisory and Finance Committee and the Historical Commission both oppose the plan. Lights for safety is a solution in search of a problem, Stone argued, citing a lack of crime data at the park. CPC Clerk Len Levin echoed the sentiment that the project is a luxury during a budget crisis, stating, Everything in my mind is discretionary. We should be putting money toward schools and fire stations.

The committee also looked toward the town's long-term physical footprint through Article 14, which would add $500,000 to the Nuclear Mitigation Stabilization Fund. Select Board member Kevin Canty explained the fund could eventually be used to purchase the 1,500-acre Holtec parcel, currently appraised between $35 million and $50 million. The only way to truly control what happens on land is to own it, Canty said, noting that residential development on the site would create a perpetual drain on town services. Alan Costello asked for the current appraised value, while Charlie Bo Train asked if any private developers like Pine Hills had expressed interest. Canty confirmed rumors of interest but noted Holtec is not currently a willing seller, though the town maintains a right of first refusal. Meanwhile, Harbormaster Chad Hunter shared a rare piece of good financial news regarding Article 18, noting a $1.2 million Seaport award for Town Wharf Phase 2. The only requirement from the town is a $300,000 match, Hunter said.

Before concluding, the committee addressed administrative hurdles and community engagement. Beth Greg raised concerns about changes to mail-in voting procedures, noting that residents will no longer receive automatic reminders to request ballots. This is a detriment to voter turnout, Greg said. During public comment, Kevin Lynch urged the town to lower the moat around Town Hall through better digital communication and a potential traveling Town Meeting. Earlier in the meeting, Christine Pratt suggested a way to recoup costs by tightening enforcement on commercial enterprises, asking, Do we have a program where we charge back commercial enterprises for frequent false alarms? Brindisi confirmed that the town does fine repeat offenders and has even pursued non-payments in court. The meeting served as a final preparation for upcoming Town Meeting sessions, where members will have to reconcile these competing demands for infrastructure, preservation, and public safety personnel.