Annual Town Meeting Article 7, the town’s General Fund Operating Budget for FY27, saw significant debate regarding funding for Information Technology. While the budget is broken into several subcommittees, a proposed amendment by Lorie Deans to reduce the IT personal services line by $213,000 became a central point of discussion during the preview meeting.

Select Board member Kevin Canty stated that the Select Board supports the $213,000 reduction. The select board made an identical took a vote to make an identical motion... we are in agreement with the to remove that increase, Canty said. However, Advisory and Finance Committee Chair Joseph Lai clarified that FinCom does not support the cut and will bring its own version of the budget to Town Meeting.

The budget subcommittees reported various levels of support: Subcommittee A (Admin/Clerk) was recommended 13-0-1; Subcommittee B (Finance/IT) 14-0-0; Subcommittee C (Public Safety) 13-1-0; Subcommittee D (DPW) 14-0-0; Subcommittee E (Health/Planning) 14-0-0; and Subcommittee F (Schools) 12-2-0. Superintendent Dr. Christopher Campbell is expected to present the school budget in detail on April 11.