Finance Panel Backs 2.5% Water Rate Hike
Saugus Finance Committee wrapped its FY27 warrant work, recommending a 2.5 percent water rate increase and a $126.4 million town budget.
Finance Committee · Meeting of June 3, 2026
Saugus Finance Committee wrapped its FY27 warrant work, recommending a 2.5 percent water rate increase and a $126.4 million town budget. Consultant Matt Abrahams of the Abrahams Group told the panel the chosen rate option would add about $14 a year to the average residential water bill while keeping reserves just under the committee's 10 percent target. The committee also recommended $9,219,130 for the Water Enterprise Fund, $7,798,210 for the Sewer Enterprise Fund and $351,000 for Saugus Cable TV, all unanimous.
The $126,380,605 operating budget includes $37,606,374 for schools directly and $22,887,299 in indirect town-paid costs, but leans on $1,837,839 in one-time certified free cash. The chair called that approach "not the right thing to do," warning it risks "a structural deficit in the school's 2028 operational budget." Members also debated classroom sizes and staff turnover in Saugus schools before the budget passed on a voice vote.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,107 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of June 3, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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