Finance Committee hears $131.9 million FY26 town budget at joint session

SUDBURY — March 3, 2025 — Sudbury floats $131.9M FY26 budget with no override, but flags FY27 risk. Town Manager Andy Sheehan and Finance Director Victor Garofalo presented a 5.44 percent increase to the Finance Committee and Select Board on March 3, with operating spending at $127.6 million, capital at $4.24 million, and an additional $7.21 million in debt-funded articles. Employee benefits jump 9.01 percent to nearly $18 million as medical insurance, retiree medical and property and liability insurance each rise more than 10 percent. Free cash certified at $7.2 million; staff proposes using $4.77 million, including $650,000 to capital stabilization, $400,000 to general stabilization, a new $175,000 pension stabilization fund, and $600,000 for snow and ice against a current $300,000 deficit. Co-Chair Michael Joachim and member Eric Poch pressed for a formal capital stabilization disbursement policy, with Poch calling combined reserves "clearly excessive from a normal position." Sheehan said an FY27 override is on the table: "We can't be sure about fiscal year 27."