Select Board — February 25, 2026

Chief Brown requested appointment of retiring Deputy Chief Robert 'Moose' Kersner as Special Police Officer to retain institutional knowledge; board members shared tributes and stories before voting.

Committee proposed painting a second electrical box on the common using designs by local artist Roxa Sony; board discussed options and approved a combination of designs 2 and 3.

Committee presented a community-painted mural project at 61 Center Street based on a student design featuring Grand View Farm; board approved with coordination requirements.

Patrick presented FY27 budget framework including 7.5% accommodated accounts target, 3.75% operating budget target, excess levy capacity, and revenue/expense assumptions aligned with the long-range financial plan.

Overview of five-year budget forecast showing 8% accommodated accounts increase and 3.98% town operating budget rise, with goal to reach 3.75% guideline; discussion of variables like health insurance, debt, retirement assessments, and Shasheen Regional School District 27% spike due to new lottery-based admissions.

Review of increases in health insurance, solid waste, debt service, retirement, special education, and local transportation; explanation of Shasheen 27% rise from expanded seats and capital contribution shift to ~-2%.

Update on balanced five-year capital plan for May town meeting; proposal to establish water/sewer enterprise fund with phased implementation starting as early as July 1, seeking approval at May 2026 town meeting.

Review of individual department budgets including Town Meeting (1.87% increase), Town Administrator (3.06%), Accountant (3.57%), Legal (level), HR (slight over guideline for new applicant tracking system), Council on Aging (4.09% with new 0.42 FTE assistant director position halfway through year).

Announcement of Director Marge's retirement on August 31, 2027; addition of assistant director for programs/outreach to support succession, programming growth, and mental health/outreach needs amid aging population. Discussion of long-term COA restructuring, population growth due to aging boomers, mental health support, and proposal to add a full-time Assistant Director position.

Overview of the door-to-door Lift program for seniors, disabled, and low-income residents; program has doubled in ridership to ~2900 rides/month, projecting $400k annual cost; board seeks feedback on sustainability levers before final budget approval.

Motions to approve multiple FY budgets including Select Board, legal, human resources, conservation, weights and measures, Council on Aging, and Town Accountant.

Final vote to terminate a portion of a 1967 sewer easement at 6 Elm Street following prior Town Meeting approval.

Reports on recent apartment fire response, snow removal challenges, upcoming senior prom, candidate forums, local election on April 11, police station construction, and Fox Hill School bids.