Finance Committee Opens FY28 Budget Guidelines Review

Finance Committee · Meeting of October 6, 2026

Amherst's Finance Committee opened fiscal 2028 budget guidelines talks, warning expenses are outpacing revenue. Vice Chair Lynn Griesemer ran the meeting for absent Chair Cathy Schoen, with Finance Director Sean Mangano briefing members on a redesigned Budget Coordinating Group process and a preliminary list of FY28 concerns, including health insurance, energy costs and rising interest rates. Member Sam MacLeod said the town's recent financial outlook presentation "demonstrated awareness of what's on the horizon, storm clouds coming in," flagging risk on large capital projects and a potential $4.5 million Jones Library repayment.

Member Cathleen Mitchell questioned the committee's practice of giving the town's four funding areas equal percentage increases, asking "should we reduce library branch hours so that we can preserve public safety?" Officials discussed a planned south Amherst fire station estimated at $25 million to $30 million, funded partly from a roughly $13 million capital stabilization fund. No override is planned, continuing a streak members said has lasted at least 14 years. The committee adjourned on a 6-0 roll-call vote.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,235 words

Source: the Finance Committee meeting of October 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.