SWAMPSCOTT — The Finance Committee gathered on Monday evening to outline different items in the town’s Administration and Finances portion of the budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).
Committee Chair Eric Hartmann commented briefly on the committee’s goals for continuing the discourse on the budget and how the process might vary from last year’s. “I wanted to start tonight by going sort of line-by-line through the different items on the budget, but this doesn’t appear to be a typical year for the town,” Hartmann said.
He noted how the budget review ran smoothly last year and that it was an easier process compared to this year. “Last year, the line-by-line went really well; this year, it’s different,” Hartmann said.
“Obviously, we’re in a different situation this year,” Hartmann explained. “I know the town administrator and Amy’s (Director of Finance and Administration) team have recommended a use of additional levy dollars to the tune of $1.5 million…but even using that kind of money, it still leaves a large gap in what the school has requested for their operating budget.
“While we asked schools to cut what they can from their budget, the town was asked the same thing, but this year has to be a little more detailed; the Select Board is asking us to find dollars, we’re supposed to do a deeper dive this year.”
Hartman said that as the school is being asked to cut whatever possible from the budget, the expectation was that the same is being asked of the town.
Amy Sarro went through the different budget items that covered the Administration and Finance section of the town budget. Sarro noted the recommended budget for Finance Committee reserves for FY26 was $125,000.
For the recommended total for Town Meeting/Legislative, Sarro added a total of $128,000 with a 0% increase.
During the meeting, committee member Erik Schneider raised an interesting point when he asked, “If we’re talking about tightening the budget and cutting it close, we’re going to end up with less Free Cash, right?”
“In all likelihood, yes,” Hartmann said.
“One of the increases in the budget, per the Department of Revenue, was that we need a full-time assessor,” Sarro said. She cited difficulties with only having one part-time.
Sarro noted during the presentation that the recommended total for treasurer/collector was $398,625,22 with an increase of 22,418 (5.96%).
For information technology services, the recommended total was $647,961,90, with an increase of $19,635,90 or 3.13%. Sarro noted that they will aim to implement a new system that makes accessing information easier.
According to the data, the recommended budget total for the legal insurance portion was $1,248,926.00. According to Sarro, the Select Board has considered switching town council.
For reserves and end of employment, the recommended total was $467,818.80 with an increase of $144,613,80, or 44.74%. Sarro clarified they were retirements, not reductions. Not for resignations or involuntary terminations. She noted six school employees, five retiring this year and one last year, as well as three town employees, including the fire captain, who Sarro said was reaching the mandatory age of retirement.
