Selectmen direct staff to use 3.5% placeholder for FY2027/28 budget; aim to maintain level services

Town Administrator Angela Bovill requested preliminary guidance for the FY2027/28 general budget. The Board directed staff to maintain level services and staffing where possible, avoid new hires unless necessary, and use a 3.5% placeholder for non-union cost-of-living adjustments while recognizing contractual increases for DPW and the Police Department and a CPI-U (Northeast) reading of 4.1%.

Bovill advised the Board the town is conducting a wage and classification study that could affect job descriptions, alignment, and wages; the board agreed the 3.5% placeholder could be revisited as more data become available. The draft budget timeline presented at the meeting will guide scheduling and deadlines for the FY2027/28 budget process.