Finance Committee reviews FY27 budget with $2 million structural deficit
Franklin Finance Committee discusses FY27 budget with $2 million structural deficit. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen presented an approximately $152.5 million budget relying on $2.029 million in free cash to avoid service cuts after two failed overrides. Committee members debated whether to accept
DocumentCenter · Meeting of April 6, 2026
Franklin Finance Committee discusses FY27 budget with $2 million structural deficit. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen presented an approximately $152.5 million budget relying on $2.029 million in free cash to avoid service cuts after two failed overrides. Committee members debated whether to accept free cash usage despite the structural deficit, with members noting that recurring costs including Chromebooks and police cruisers are not fully budgeted.
Library Director Felicia Oti warned the department is only $20,000 above the Municipal Appropriation Requirement threshold, risking loss of state aid if cut further. Public Properties and Buildings reported electricity costs up 37 to 40 percent and natural gas doubled since FY18.
In the full story:
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Source: the DocumentCenter meeting of April 6, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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