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Departmental Impacts

In response to the town’s ongoing structural deficit, a 4.5% reduction across all departments has been proposed for a balanced FY2026 budget.

Departmental budgets are already lean and largely driven by personnel and essential services. As a result, a 4.5% cut translates to reduced staffing, fewer service hours, and slower response times.

The following outlines how these reductions may impact individual departments and the services residents rely on.

🏫 Schools

Loss of teaching and support positions
Increased class sizes
Fewer course offerings and electives
Reduced academic and student support services
Fewer adults available to support students day-to-day

📚 Library

Reduced public hours
Fewer programs for children, teens, and seniors
Reduced access to community resources
Risk of partial or temporary closure

👵 Council on Aging

Reduced programming and outreach
Fewer transportation services for seniors
Reduced staff support for vulnerable residents

🚓 Police

Reduced staffing levels per shift
Slower 911 response times
Less proactive patrol and visibility
Increased reliance on mutual aid from neighboring towns

🚒 Fire & EMS

Reduced EMS staffing, especially overnight
Increased risk of single-staff or delayed response
Slower emergency response times
Increased strain on remaining personnel

🚧 Highway / Public Works

Reduced road and facility maintenance
Slower response to storms and emergencies
Reduced transfer station hours

Delays in addressing infrastructure and safety issues

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