Finance panel backs plan to close budget gap

Finance Committee · Meeting of October 14, 2026

HUBBARDSTON — The Hubbardston Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend closing a $274,500 fiscal year 2027 budget deficit using free cash and stabilization funds instead of an override. An outside financial consultant told members the shortfall had been negotiated down from $362,000 and that cutting departments instead would have "decimated" police, fire, the library and Council on Aging budgets. The panel approved moving $101,000 in free cash for one-time department costs and a separate $78,000 in free cash plus $150,000 from the town's $750,000 stabilization account to cover a $520,934 regional retirement bill.

Members also tabled a 20-year Quabbin Regional School District agreement, with one member saying the district's claim of open meetings on the changes "was not true," and voted to request a joint session with the superintendent and School Committee before the October 27 special Town Meeting.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,512 words

Source: the Finance Committee meeting of October 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.