Paxton Board Creates Police Efficiency Panel

Select Board · Meeting of August 17, 2026

Paxton Select Board forms a police efficiency committee instead of a paid outside audit after override failure deepens budget strain. The board voted unanimously to create a five-member panel, including a Police Department representative and two community members, after a Finance Committee recommendation for a Collins Group audit, priced at $29,000 to $50,000 per department, drew pushback. Select board member Jeff said the town carries a roughly $900,000 structural operating deficit, propped up yearly by $500,000 in free cash and $400,000 in ambulance receipts.

Police Association president Officer Timothy Larkham disputed claims that 60 percent of department leadership was retiring, saying the real number is two of five. Resident Mark Love argued Paxton's $1.24 million police budget, 7.2 percent of its $16.3 million total budget, compares favorably to Princeton's 8.8 percent. "I'm just saying budget wise, our guys are doing a heck of a job," Love said.

The board also voted to shrink the Charter Review Committee from seven to five members and waived its right of first refusal on a Chapter 61 parcel on Richards Avenue.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,713 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.