Douglas Town Meeting Approves $35.9 Million FY2027 Budget Unanimously

DOUGLAS — May 4, 2026 — Douglas town meeting approves $35.9 million FY2027 budget and school deficit transfer in a single evening. Meeting attendees gathered May 4 at the combined annual and special town meetings, presided over by Moderator Keith Menard, and passed every article on both warrants unanimously. The central action of the special meeting was a $394,000 transfer to close a school budget deficit that had started the year at $2.9 million; a school representative identified as Jean told the meeting that without the transfer, approximately five additional positions would be cut on top of 19.5 already eliminated. The annual meeting approved a total operating budget of $35,968,965 for fiscal year 2027, including $19,276,247 for education, and separately authorized $1,066,000 in capital spending for road paving, a fire department tanker truck, and municipal court resurfacing. Town Administrator Wojciak told an attendee that after all meeting votes, the town's certified free cash balance of $3,593,615 would be drawn down to approximately $662,476. Voters also unanimously approved up to $350,000 to begin schematic design on a Massachusetts School Building Authority-funded roof, window, and door replacement at Douglas Primary School, with the state covering 57.74 percent of eligible costs.