Norton Finance Committee Unanimously Recommends $81.28 Million FY27 Budget

NORTON — April 27, 2026 — Norton Finance Committee recommends $81.28 million general fund budget with last-minute additions for schools and police. The committee voted unanimously at its April 27 meeting to recommend the fiscal year 2027 general fund budget of $81,281,282, including $200,000 added to the school department and $45,000 for a half-year police officer position negotiated during the meeting itself. Town Manager Mark Gold described the budget as restrained growth designed to reduce reliance on one-time funds, noting health insurance and fixed costs rose 5 percent while most departments were held to 1 percent. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roseann O'Neill told the committee that even with the $200,000 addition, the district would eliminate five positions and could not fully maintain Norton Middle School's two-team special education structure, which would have required an additional $200,000. The committee also voted unanimously to recommend $11,443,631 to replace the Norton Middle School roof — a project that passed at a town ballot April 11 — and transferred $118,268.15 from free cash and $170,000 from the general stabilization fund to cover a snow and ice removal deficit. All budget articles head to Town Meeting on May 18.