Select Board weighs service cuts against $800,000 budget shortfall
Select Board · Meeting of May 18, 2026
Lancaster Select Board reviews FY27 budget with $800,000 shortfall. Board Chair Jason A. Allison outlined priorities: full Fire Department staffing, reopening the Town Beach, a food pantry, and an Assistant Town Administrator and HR Director position.
Fire Chief Jon Belanger and Police Chief Everett L. Moody warned that cuts must come from personnel and will directly impact services. Emily Rose, Chair of Library Trustees, requested support for the library's $528,414 budget request to maintain compliance with state standards.
Town Administrator John R. Woodsmall III explained how successive years of level-funded budgets have degraded facilities and deferred maintenance. DPW Superintendent Scott MacDonald and other department heads detailed how potential cuts would reduce service delivery.
The Board asked the administrator to prepare alternative budget scenarios for the June 1 meeting.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 477 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of May 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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