Hubbardston officials face a $202,008 budget gap; $200,000 in cuts planned

Town Administrator Sean told the Select Board on May 4 that the town's zero-based FY27 budget totals $12,367,933 and was out of balance by $202,007.77. He said department heads had supplied expanded line-item detail intended to make targeted reductions possible and that he would present proposed reductions to close the gap.

"This budget as it stands sits at 12,367,933. It's out of balance by $202,007.77 dollars," Sean said, adding that he had already discussed possible reductions with department heads and expected to present roughly $200,000 of cuts.

Department presentations were detailed: the police chief explained increases tied to collective bargaining agreements (steps and contractual raises), higher overtime, CJIS and body-worn camera maintenance, equipment replacement and training; the fire chief outlined apparatus maintenance, ladder and pump testing and ambulance licensing and billing; the DPW reviewed paving priorities, winter materials and fuel planning; the library director summarized programming and a steady but modest operating budget requirement.

Board members pressed for clarity on contractual obligations and the fiscal tradeoffs inherent in cutting positions or reserves. The finance presentation flagged use of one-time or restricted funds (for example, E&D or free cash appropriations) versus recurring operating expenses and recommended maintaining free cash targets in the 5% range of the operating budget.

Sean and board members agreed to schedule one or more special meetings in mid-May to vote to close the warrant and approve final budget decisions. "I am gonna be making $200,000 worth of reductions," Sean said; the board asked staff to circulate the revised figures and to be prepared to close the warrant by the statutory deadlines.