Maynard Finance Committee Flags $310,000 FY27 Gap, Unsustainable Benefits Growth

MAYNARD -- November 24, 2025, Maynard Finance Committee scrutinizes a $310,000 FY27 deficit and unsustainable benefits costs at remote session. Chair Jillian Prendergast and member Peter Campbell led discussion of a draft general fund budget showing employee benefits, now 20 percent of the operating budget, rising 8.8 percent, a rate Campbell called "unsustainable with 2.5 percent budget caps." The town's other post-employment benefits obligation will increase by $224,669 in FY27, bringing the annual OPED line to roughly $540,000 against a total unfunded liability of $62,769,490 projected to be fully funded by 2035. Member Nathan Wigfield presented assessors-office data showing 20 percent of Maynard single-family homes changed hands in the last five years, framing the finding as context for how tax increases hit different households. The committee voted 6-0 to approve November 10 minutes and set its next meeting for December 8, when water and sewer enterprise cost trends will be on the agenda.