Finance Committee endorses $39.2M budget, flags West School ADA risks
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
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, compiled from the official minutes.
Members read the rest of this story and every Stow meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this brief
Know someone in Stow who follows town government? Share Townbrief Stow: they can sign up free.