Blackstone FY27 Preliminary Budget: A Look at the $35M Plan
Blackstone FY27 Preliminary Budget: A First Look at the Town’s $35M Roadmap
The Town of Blackstone has released its Blackstone FY27 preliminary budget, offering a first look at the financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year. While this document is not yet final, it serves as the foundation for discussions that will shape our town’s services, schools, and tax rates.
As noted by the Selectmen and town officials in the last Board of Selectman meeting, there is significant room for adjustment before the final vote coming in the Spring. However, the current figures provide a picture of the fiscal trends and priorities facing the community in 2027.
The Big Picture: A 10% Overall Increase
The Blackstone FY27 preliminary budget proposes a total General Fund expenditure of $35,111,443. This represents a $3.2 million (10.08%) increase over the current year’s budget. For a small town, a double-digit jump is significant, and much of this is driven by fixed costs and initial assessments.
Education: The Watch Area for Taxpayers
Current Status: Based on the preliminary report, specific town education categories—including regional high school budget—are currently showing 0% changes from the previous year.
The “Watch” Area: While these specific lines are level, residents should keep a close eye on the Regional School budget discussions. These represent the millions Blackstone pays to the BMR and BVT districts. Historically, these assessments are the largest drivers of budget growth, and getting clarity on these final numbers is a top priority for the town.
Public Safety: Growing to Meet Demand
Following the trend of school assessments, the departments responsible for the town’s safety are also seeing necessary growth in the FY27 preliminary budget.
Police & Fire: The Police Department budget (Police Department and Police Dispatchers line item) is proposed at $2.7M (up 7% for the Police Department and up 10% for Police Dispatchers), and the Fire Department is set at $1.9M (up 17%). These increases generally reflect rising labor and equipment costs.
Data Processing: Shifting Digital Priorities
Just as the town is carefully looking its education lines, the Data Processing (IT) budget shows a strategic reallocation of resources. While the overall category is proposed to increase by 4% to $256,180, the town is making intentional trade-offs:
- Doing More with Less: The town has reduced spending for certain legacy tools, such as AXIS GIS (down 42% to $3,500) and Professional & Technical Training (down 31% to $4,680).
- Investing in Infrastructure: These reductions help offset increases in essential software like Open Gov (up 12% to $23,500) and Tyler Technologies/MUNIS (up 10% to $55,000).
Elections
The FY27 preliminary budget also must account for the cyclical nature of town operations:
Election Cycle Spike: Due to the upcoming busy election year, the Elections budget is seeing a sharp 181% increase, rising from $14,200 to $39,900.
Library: High Service, Leaner Operations
The Library budget is proposed at a 13% increase, driven primarily by necessary wage adjustments. To manage this growth, the department has made significant internal cuts:
- Programming: The town-funded budget dropped 90% (from $2,000 to just $200). The library will likely rely almost entirely on grants and the Friends of the Library to fund community programs and activities.
- Maintenance & Training: Building repairs were cut by 31% ($8,000), and the professional development budget was reduced by 100%, eliminating town-funded staff training.
The Bottom Line: A 9.3% Overall Shift
While individual departments are navigating “level-set” lines and internal trade-offs, the cumulative impact is significant. The total “All Funds” budget voted at the FY 2026 Town Meeting was $34,600,710. This FY 2027 Preliminary Budget proposes a total of $37,819,207—an increase of $3,218,497, or 9.30%. With the Board of Selectmen emphasizing that these numbers are still “in progress,” now is the window for residents to monitor the debate and share their priorities before the final warrant is set.
Why Your Voice Matters Now (Not Just at Town Meeting)
Historically, fewer than 2% of Blackstone voters attend the Annual Town Meeting to decide the final budget. By then, most of the “significant room for adjustment” has disappeared.
With a proposed $3.2 million (10.08%) increase to the General Fund, this is the most critical time for resident input:
- Bring Your Perspective: Whether you are an expert in finance, a concerned parent, or a resident worried about the 10% jump, your opinion matters. Town officials are looking for ways to balance service needs with fiscal responsibility, and they need a representative cross-section of the community to do it.
- Change Happens Now: The decisions made during these January hearings will determine what the final “ask” looks like in May. Don’t wait until the numbers are set in stone—join the conversation this Saturday.
Mark Your Calendar: January 10 Budget Review
This Saturday is a working session for the Board of Selectmen to hear from department heads.
- The Format: Department heads will present and answer questions from the Board. There is no formal public comment period during these presentations.
- Be Heard: While you won’t be at the microphone this Saturday, you can still influence the process. Listen to the deliberations, then contact town officials directly or attend a regular board meeting to share your feedback during the public comment period.
The Board of Selectmen is encouraging residents to get involved with the Blackstone FY27 preliminary budget as early as possible. Hearing the details directly from town officials and employees is the best way to get accurate information rather than relying on social media rumors.
- When: Saturday, January 10, 2026 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Where: Town Hall
- Online Access: The meeting will be livestreamed on cable and online for those who cannot attend in person.
Budget Review Agenda on January 10 Budget Hearing
| Time | Speaker | Budget Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | James Sullivan | Department of Public Works |
| 9:30 AM | Chief Kevin Roy | Fire Department Ambulance Emergency Management |
| 10:00 AM | Chief Gregory Gilmore | Police Department Dispatch Animal Control |
| 10:30 AM | Tara Sullivan | Town Clerk Elections Board of Registrars |
| 10:45 AM | Robert Kluchevitz | Assessor’s Office |
| 11:00 AM | Tiziana Milano | Council on Aging |
| 11:15 AM | Matthew Ryan | Collector / Treasurer’s Office |
| 11:30 AM | Lisa Cheever | Library |
| 11:45 AM | Lauren Taylor | Town Accountant |
| 12:00 PM | Chad Lovett | Town Administrator General Government |
Read the details of the 2027 Preliminary Budget:
Decisions made in these early meetings will determine whether the town pursues “new growth” revenue, utilizes free cash, or considers other fiscal measures. By the time the final warrant is printed for the Town Meeting, many of these numbers will be locked in.
Have questions or concerns?
Contact local town officials and committee members.
Board of Selectmen
- Daniel Keefe, Chairman – Email Daniel Keefe
- Mike Sweeney, Vice-Chairman – Email Mike Sweeney
- Edward W. Castonguay, Clerk – Email Edward W. Castonguay
- Mary Bulso, Member – Email Mary Bulso
- Gino Olaes, Member – Email Gino Olaes
Chad Lovett, Town Administrator – Email Chad Lovett or call 508-883-1500, Ext. 113
Lauren Taylor, Assistant Town Administrator/Town Accountant – Email Lauren Taylor or call 508-883-1500, Ext. 123
You can also find information about Boards & Committees on the Town of Blackstone website
In meetings, the Board of Selectmen has emphasized that this Blackstone FY27 preliminary budget is a working document. It is much easier for residents to ask questions, suggest changes, or voice concerns during the current hearing phase than it is to wait for the Town Meeting in the spring so don’t hesitate to reach out as early as today and be part of the conversation.
At Small Town Post, our mission is to keep Blackstone residents informed and empowered. We believe that local government works best when the community is engaged and informed about the “nuts and bolts” of how our town runs—from the Blackstone FY27 preliminary budget to local events.
We want to hear from you! Do you have a story idea, a question about the budget, or information about a local event? Send us your tips and stories anytime. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for regular updates, meeting reminders, and the latest news from around Blackstone. Your voice makes our community stronger!
