Finance Committee endorses $39.2M budget, flags West School ADA risks
Finance Committee · Meeting of April 15, 2026
Stow Finance Committee endorsed the $39.2 million annual budget and approved 50 of 50 warrant articles for May 9 town meeting, with two rejections. Chair Brian Patuto and the Committee voted 4-0 to recommend favorable action on the $39,167,501 budget, reflecting timing gaps in departmental requests due to mid-contract negotiations and leadership changes. The Committee rejected the Middle School Scoreboard ($15,000) based on competing capital priorities and denied a West School roof stabilization project after learning that ADA compliance requirements would double scope and cost.
All six capital items funded by borrowing passed 4-0, including a $1,100,000 fire engine replacement pending a potential federal grant through Senator Markey's office. A snow and ice deficit estimated at $60,000 was approved for transfer from certified free cash following $175,000 in departmental wage vacancies and $28,000 in salt consortium savings. ===END BRIEF===
In the full story:
- The complete report — 921 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of April 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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