Finance Committee allocates $5.2 million in free cash, tackles FY27 budgets

Finance Committee · Meeting of January 8, 2026

HOLBROOK — Finance Committee tackles record $5.2M free cash allocation and FY27 budget reviews. Chair Mike Sigda unveiled $5,259,673 in certified free cash — the highest amount since at least 2017 — with the committee identifying $4.7 million available for allocation after prior-year spending and required reserves. Members debated directing funds toward capital projects, stabilization, and tax levy reduction, with Finance Committee member Anne Marie LaSalvia pressing for clarity on the source of excess funds and expressing concern about potential overtaxing.

The committee unanimously nominated Jake Krajeski to the Community Preservation Act Study Committee; approved FY27 budgets for the Forest Committee ($6,800 including new trailhead signage), Town Clerk ($27 percent increase driven by three elections), Veterans Agent ($27,810), and level-funded Historical Commission and Finance Committee accounts. Department review subcommittees were assigned to Brian McFarland and Colin Zimmer (schools), Anne Marie LaSalvia (fire, police, HRCC), and Jake Krajeski (DPW).

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Source: the Finance Committee meeting of January 8, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.