Finance Committee reviews FY27 municipal and benefits budgets; flags health insurance surge
Saugus Finance Committee reviews FY27 budgets, flags $2.8 million benefits surge. Chair Kenneth DePatto highlighted health insurance costs jumping from $19.8 million to $22.3 million, describing the increase as "huge" and unsustainable; health benefits now represent nearly $22 million of the town's
Finance Committee · Meeting of April 15, 2026
Saugus Finance Committee reviews FY27 budgets, flags $2.8 million benefits surge. Chair Kenneth DePatto highlighted health insurance costs jumping from $19.8 million to $22.3 million, describing the increase as "huge" and unsustainable; health benefits now represent nearly $22 million of the town's $130 million overall budget. Northeast Metro Tech debt service may increase by approximately $175,000 in FY27 as vocational school admissions shift, though DePatto urged the Board of Selectmen to place a debt exclusion before voters rather than fund it through the tax levy.
A spring bond issuance, likely in May or June, is planned to cover fire station feasibility study, equipment, radio infrastructure, and a new fire pumper. DePatto declined to move the school budget review to a larger venue, citing a prior meeting that required police intervention.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 450 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of April 15, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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