Finance Committee approves town budgets and warrant articles for June town meeting.
Finance Committee backs fiscal 2027 budget and warrant articles ahead of June town meeting. The committee voted 5-1-0 to recommend the Town Administrator's proposed $45,000 salary increase after Deb Pettey detailed her dual roles as HR Director and Grant Manager, noting she secures over $1,000,000
Finance Committee · Meeting of May 6, 2026
FREETOWN — Finance Committee backs fiscal 2027 budget and warrant articles ahead of June town meeting. The committee voted 5-1-0 to recommend the Town Administrator's proposed $45,000 salary increase after Deb Pettey detailed her dual roles as HR Director and Grant Manager, noting she secures over $1,000,000 annually in grants for the town, though member Lisa A. Pacheco flagged concerns about public perception amid broader budget pressures.
The committee unanimously approved Special Town Meeting articles including $450,000 in additional salt shed construction funding and recommended all omnibus budgets except Education, deferred pending updated school assessment figures expected to reduce Freetown Elementary's obligation by approximately $75,000. Town Accountant Matt Parent flagged three emerging fiscal risks: a $1,000,000 annual reserve required by the Stop & Shop property tax abatement pending court resolution, projected school cost growth, and potential Bristol-Plymouth regional school assessment pressure.
In the full story:
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Source: the Finance Committee meeting of May 6, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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