Finance Committee reviews FY27 budgets for emergency services and RECC; $1.7M in state grants lost to MBTA noncompliance.
Finance Committee reviews three departmental FY27 budgets and confronts $1.7M in lost state grants. RECC Executive Director Brian O'Neill reported six dispatcher departures, three completed hires, and expected four more to reduce $400,000 overtime; the center costs the town roughly $80,000 annually
Finance Committee · Meeting of March 9, 2026
TEWKSBURY — Finance Committee reviews three departmental FY27 budgets and confronts $1.7M in lost state grants. RECC Executive Director Brian O'Neill reported six dispatcher departures, three completed hires, and expected four more to reduce $400,000 overtime; the center costs the town roughly $80,000 annually in shared services. Fire Chief Joseph Kearns reported the second ambulance generated $2.2 million in revenue and responded to 1,354 calls in 2025, with an overall budget increase of 3.72 percent driven by energy, maintenance, and hydrostatic tank testing.
Police Chief Ryan Columbus flagged the loss of a $100,000 behavioral health position cut by the state, which he called critical to the department.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 333 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of March 9, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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