LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget is a 6.27 percent increase from this year.

 

On Monday, Town Administrator Gina Dario presented a $12,669,203 operating budget to the Select Board, noting that it is subject to minor changes before the annual town meeting on June 10.

 

Looking at the current local and national environment, she recognized "a lot of surprises," but didn't want that to reflect in the town's spending.

 

"We are dealing with a bit of the unknown, but within that, we really try to operate with as much fiscal responsibility and with as much fiscal diligence as we can," Dario explained.

 

"… We are very much trying to be accountable and make sure that we are planning for the future with the resources that we have so that we can be working and looking ahead for the benefit of the community, so that the residents know that what we are doing for the community is very responsible."

 

School district assessment fees and health insurance are major budget drivers.

 

The Mount Greylock Regional School District assessment increased by 6.82 percent, but McCann Technical School's assessment decreased by 25.07 percent. This represents a $535,212 net increase in education costs, compared to the $237,129 increase in FY25, and accounts for half of the 6.27 percent increase to the operating budget.

  

It also includes a new $22,000 request from Taconic Technical Vocational.

 

"With Lanesborough being nestled between McCann and (Taconic High School), Taconic has a new facility, this might be something that we see going forward, just in terms of what's being offered," Dario explained.

 

"Again, it's something that we have to manage."

 

Health and life insurance have spiked 16 percent for active employees and a few retirees. This line item increased from $773,000 in FY25 to $870,000, representing a net increase of $97,000 for FY26 compared to a $59,523 increase this year. This accounts for 0.81 percent of the 6.27 percent increase in the operating budget.

 

Legal services have been reduced by $10,000 to $50,000 because of reduced spending and reliance on that line item over the past few fiscal years.

 

"We've seen in the year that I joined that this was something that kept going up and up, sort of reflecting a little bit of a contentious nature in the town. We've really stabilized this over the past couple of years. I think that's a positive thing," Dario said.

 

"It's something that we have to rely on as a small town. We don't have legal expertise. We rely on KP Law to do a lot of our technical expertise, which is really appreciative, and they really have that continuity of what's happened in Lanesborough."

 

The town's $878,786 in American Rescue Plan Act funds have been allocated, and only about $1,100 remains. Lanesborough also received $17,190 in ARPA broadband revenue, which will be used for Town Hall broadband/Wi-Fi enhancements, hardware updates, and other training programs in partnership with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

 

Dario said the operating budget's 6.27 percent increase is the highest in her three years as town administrator.

 

Select Board member Deborah Maynard proposed a total of $11,268 in reductions that will be reviewed internally before going to the Finance Committee and back to the board.

 

This includes: $1,340 from the town clerk's department, a $5,000 reduction in consulting funds, $2,500 from the Fire Department for hydrant service fees, and $2,428 from the library.

 

The Select Board also saw proposed free cash articles for the annual town meeting on June 10:

As of July 1, 2024, the town has $1,252,853 in free cash. These articles total $792,157 and, if approved, would lower the free cash account to $460,695.

 

The Finance Committee will vote on the budget and annual town meeting articles on May 5, and the final warrant will be approved later in the month. June 3 is the final day to post warrant articles.