Finance Committee approves $176.4 million FY2027 budget with focus on education and core services.
Chelmsford Finance Committee backs $176.4 million FY2027 operating budget. Town Manager Paul E. Cohen reported the budget allocates $78.15 million to Chelmsford Public Schools, a 3.3 percent increase, and funds general government operations at $40.1 million, up 3.2 percent, while maintaining level
Finance Committee · Meeting of February 12, 2026
Chelmsford Finance Committee backs $176.4 million FY2027 operating budget. Town Manager Paul E. Cohen reported the budget allocates $78.15 million to Chelmsford Public Schools, a 3.3 percent increase, and funds general government operations at $40.1 million, up 3.2 percent, while maintaining level staffing across all departments.
Benefits and insurance costs absorb $2.77 million of the $7.3 million overall increase, driven by a 7.9 percent rise in health insurance premiums and a $860,000 boost in the Middlesex County Retirement System assessment. Finance Director John Sousa Jr. presented a parallel capital plan recommending 20 projects totaling $6.4 million in bonded debt, including a $1 million high school roof replacement and an $850,000 Adams Library HVAC upgrade. The budget relies entirely on Chelmsford's $135.1 million property tax levy capacity and assumes Massachusetts will fund Chapter 70 education aid at $150 per pupil, not the Governor's proposed $75.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 437 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of February 12, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Members read the rest of this story and every Chelmsford meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this brief
Know someone in Chelmsford who follows town government? Share Townbrief Chelmsford: they can sign up free.