Acushnet Finance Committee Approves Nine Warrant Articles Ahead of Town Meeting

ACUSHNET -- May 20, 2026, Acushnet Finance Committee clears nine warrant articles, deferring the full operating budget to a final session before town meeting. At its May 20 meeting the committee voted unanimously on eight articles and approved a ninth with one dissent, acting on changes presented by Town Administrator Jamie Kelley and Assistant Town Administrator Jamie Velasquez following the Board of Selectmen's same-evening warrant review. The $285,250 FY27 capital budget, drawn entirely from free cash, covers fire department turnout gear, police firearms and equipment, an unmarked cruiser, and school boiler repairs. The committee also approved a $200,000 principal payment on the Engine 2 bond anticipation note and a new $25,000 EMS repair and maintenance reserve fund, both drawn from EMS reserve receipts, and confirmed that remaining free cash after all proposed appropriations stands at $340,388.05. A bylaw amendment moving the annual town election to school vacation week passed unanimously, while a separate amendment giving the Board of Selectmen explicit authority to reschedule town meeting passed with one member opposed. The $410,102 Old Colony Regional assessment increase and the full municipal operating budget will go before the committee at its May 27 session.