West Bridgewater Finance Committee Unanimously Backs $49.2M FY27 Budget for Town Meeting

WEST BRIDGEWATER -- April 23, 2026, West Bridgewater Finance Committee approves $49.2 million FY27 budget without an override. The committee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend the $49,164,355 operating budget to Annual Town Meeting, relying on a $1.7 million free cash transfer to close a structural gap created by state aid that netted only $98,000 in new revenue against a $2.1 million year-over-year spending increase. Town Administrator David told the committee that roughly one-third of Massachusetts communities have sought operational overrides in fiscal years 2024 through 2026, presenting a map showing 124 passed votes in 65 communities and 94 failed votes in 56. The local schools' budget grew 4.5 percent, the lowest rate in five years, after the School Committee voted April 6 to cut a $72,000 media specialist position, and Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical School's assessment fell $90,000 due to lower enrollment, providing unexpected relief. The committee also unanimously recommended all warrant articles, including a home rule petition to merge the Water Department with the Department of Public Works under a single director, a move the administrator said would be cost-neutral but more operationally efficient; if approved by town meeting and the Legislature, the merger would take effect in September 2027. Free cash is now nearly depleted after covering the budget gap and approximately $4.2 million in capital expenditures.