Westborough approves FY27 operating budget amid debate over tax relief and capital spending

Westborough’s annual town meeting approved the fiscal 2027 operating budget and a series of reserve and capital items on motions advanced by the Advisory Finance Committee and the Select Board.

The Advisory Finance Committee chair, Prashant Ahuja, opened the financial discussion with a plain‑spoken budget picture: headline operating numbers, corrected warrant booklet text, and an estimate that the average single‑family tax bill would rise by roughly $633 for FY27. Town Manager Christy Williams described the statewide fiscal stress that is squeezing municipal revenues and reviewed the town’s policy targets for free cash and stabilization reserves.

A lengthy debate focused on how much one‑time “free cash” the town should use to lower residents’ tax bills. Rod Schaffer proposed increasing the free‑cash draw for tax relief from the AFC‑recommended $450,000 to $900,000; the amendment was defeated and the budget motion carried as originally moved. Select board members and finance committee representatives urged caution, saying the town must preserve free‑cash reserves to maintain bond rating and long‑term fiscal flexibility.

Individual transfers from free cash won voter approval: a $400,000 transfer to cover FY26 snow‑and‑ice deficits, $100,000 to replenish the town’s legal expense budget after litigation costs, and smaller transfers to fund negotiated items for public safety and other departments. Several departmental line items were questioned and then voted on separately under the budget process used by the moderator.

Town Meeting also approved a range of capital and maintenance requests, from replacement ambulances to public‑works vehicles. A controversial police mobile command vehicle — a climate‑controlled van the department says is needed for coordinated incident command and drone operations — drew extended testimony and passed after debate. The wastewater treatment plant borrowing request was approved after a revised authorization reflecting lower bid results; the plant’s capital work will be financed as a regional project shared with partner towns.

What’s next: the board and town staff will implement the approved FY27 program and return to the public with updated financial projections at the fall town meeting if revenue or expense assumptions change.

Sources: Town meeting proceedings; remarks by Advisory Finance Committee chair Prashant Ahuja and Town Manager Christy Williams.