Newbury Finance Committee warned of deep budget pressures ahead of May town meeting

Finance Committee · Meeting of February 3, 2026

Newbury Finance Committee hears grim fiscal warning ahead of May 5 town meeting. Town Administrator told the committee Tuesday that Newbury's costs have been rising roughly 3 percent annually since the COVID-19 pandemic while the town remains capped at 2.5 percent levy growth, with 70 to 80 percent of revenue already drawn from property taxes. Preliminary state aid figures show Newbury's Chapter 70 education funding is projected to drop approximately $99,000 from the prior year, new growth revenue is estimated at only $70,000, and 85 percent of school districts statewide are in a "hold harmless" position with no meaningful aid increase.

With ARPA funds fully spent and free cash drawn down at last year's town meeting, committee members acknowledged that overrides are unlikely to pass and warned the community faces hard choices about essential services. Vice Chair Frank Visconti, along with members Richard Keys, Steve Kenney, Amy Crouch, and Vanessa Rossi attended; member Steve Kenney described deteriorating conditions at Triton Regional High School firsthand, including a boys' bathroom with only one functioning toilet stall and classrooms heated by a system installed when the school opened in 1971.

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Source: the Finance Committee meeting of February 3, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.