Shrewsbury Finance Committee Approves Library HVAC Transfer, Advances FY27 Town Meeting Warrant

SHREWSBURY — April 9, 2026 — Shrewsbury's Finance Committee previewed more than two dozen town meeting warrant articles and approved a library HVAC reserve transfer at its April 9 meeting. Town Manager Kevin Mizekar presented a restructured emergency medical services budget of $762,637 — down from a $1 million projection after outside auditors recommended creating a standalone Department 230 EMS — covering one coordinator and eight firefighter-paramedics for the first half of fiscal year 2027 as part of the town's new ambulance program. The overall proposed FY27 operating budget stands at $169,583,000, with the town manager recommending a 4.25 percent school budget increase against a 4.75 percent figure the School Committee had been presenting; Mizekar said the School Committee had not yet adjusted its own recommendation. Community Preservation Committee articles heading to town meeting include $112,500 for a rental assistance pilot targeting 25 households, $650,000 for lighting at Maple Field, and $300,000 for ADA and historic preservation work at the 1828 District 5 Schoolhouse. The solid waste budget now proposes a 10 percent fee increase on pay-as-you-throw bags, down from an earlier 18 percent estimate following $138,000 in identified expenditure reductions.