Finance Committee reviews FY27 budgets, fire pay, capital list

Finance Committee · Meeting of February 11, 2026

Millbury Finance Committee opens FY27 budget season with fire pay raises and a $1 million radio priority. Chairperson Charles Cooper's panel heard Fire Chief Mark Strom describe a call-based pay system straining under more than 500 annual calls, up from roughly 350 in 2023, and floated raises of five percent for the chief, 10 percent for the deputy chief and three percent for assistant chiefs. Vice Chairperson William Pratt said radio and repeater infrastructure, at $1 million, tops 23 ranked capital projects.

CFO Katie McKenna reported $3,269,102 in certified free cash, with about $1,762,000 left for capital after routine set-asides, against a Brightside Bridge repair and roughly $300,000 in library HVAC work. "I don't want to under pay any of these guys," said member Jennifer O'Connell. Building Commissioner Caleb Moody said hot water heater inspection fees doubled to $100.

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Source: the Finance Committee meeting of February 11, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.