Second Budget Presentation of FY24 was Held Yesterday

The Financial Management Team (FMT) presented the FY24 budget as it currently stands to residents on 3/27. The FMT explained that they work with department heads and, iteratively, with the Selectboard to prepare a budget to present to the Selectboard. The Selectboard approves the final budget that is presented to voters at Annual Town Meeting. Voters can vote to approve the budget as presented or can amend the budget and vote on that. Ultimately, taxpayers decide what will be spent by the Town.

Two budget scenarios were presented. The first included a request for one additional patrol officer for the Police Department. Though the numbers will still change, this preliminary budget asks for an additional $1,007,035 in funds over last year. This amounts to an 8.63% increase. The second budget scenario asked for two additional patrol officers. This version of the preliminary budget asks for an additional $1,080,170 in funds over last year. This amounts to an 9.26% increase. The tax impact of these two preliminary budget scenarios can be found here.

Much of the resident discussion focused on two areas. Fire Chief Bennett wants to have an EMT on duty for the ambulance between the hours of 5pm and 7am, 7 days a week. He feels that this will help reduce the ambulance response time from an average of over 20 minutes during those hours. Police Chief Patriarca is requesting one or two additional full-time patrol officers. Residents who attended the 3/6 presentation also questioned the changes made to the budget since then.

You can find the budget presentations here. Contact Town Clerk Alissa Horsung to request a link to the recording. If you would like to discuss the budget, please reach out to Sherry Patch at townadministrator@town.princeton.ma.us or 978-464-2102.