Plympton's FY 2026 Budget Shows 7.4% Increase, Library Hours Set to Expand
Town officials review budget increases in insurance, recreation funding, and potential fire department staffing changes
PLYMPTON - April 14 - The Plympton Board of Selectmen reviewed the town's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal during their April 14 meeting, approving a 7.4% increase over the previous year's budget. The proposal includes significant increases in insurance and pension costs, recreation funding, and potential expansion of fire department staffing.
Town Administrator Liz Dennehy presented the budget section by section to the board, highlighting areas with notable changes before the proposal heads to the Finance Committee for their vote.
"These were, unfortunately, costs that we just can't get away from," Dennehy says about the insurance and pension section, which shows substantial increases. "The county pension is a fixed number. They tell us what that's going to be."
When asked by Board Chair John Traynor about the reason for the pension increase, Dennehy explains it's due to "increased liability and trying to get caught up."
The recreation budget shows one of the most significant proposed increases. Dennehy notes that last year's annual operating budget for recreation was $10,250, with an additional $10,000 provided through a separate article.
"Finance committee does not want to continue with the article. So they asked them to put the cost for field maintenance into the operating budget," Dennehy explains.
The recreation committee initially requested $48,736 for their budget, which Dennehy was able to reduce by $4,000. However, this still represents a substantial increase over previous funding levels.
"It seems like a very high cost for the field maintenance itself, like aerating, seeding," Dennehy says. "I know that they've done a really good job of getting the fields up to a nice condition. So I think it's warranted, but I wonder if they could obtain better pricing."
Traynor expresses support for the recreation committee's work while acknowledging the significant increase.
"I think it's great that we've got a very active recreation committee. And they have done really a good job out there," Traynor says. "The fact that we have lights on the field still kind of, I'm in awe to go up and see it."
Another significant budget item involves the fire department's proposal to add four people to the union. Dennehy indicates the Finance Committee might be amenable to adding three of the requested positions.
"The chief was looking to have three people on some nights and every weekend," Dennehy explains. "For any person that you add to the union, you also have to then allow for holiday pay, for example. So it doesn't come without a cost."
Traynor notes the changing nature of the fire department's work: "We know the operational template's changing. I mean, fires are not what drives the fire department anymore. It's medical emergencies."
The library trustees are proposing a substantial increase in operating hours, from the current 26 hours per week to a minimum of 40 hours. This change would require adjustments to the library director's schedule and salary.
"The library trustees are proposing an increase in hours for the library to have it open a minimum of 40 hours a week," Dennehy says. "And it would be the library director working those hours and facilitating that."
Dennehy notes that the library director is currently surveying people to determine the most appropriate days and hours for the expanded schedule.
Other notable budget items include:
- Utilities costs have increased significantly, with Dennehy describing some Eversource bills as "absolutely staggering"
- The elementary school budget was finalized after "a lot of hard work and financial gymnastics"
- The town received a community compact grant for $73,200 for internal permitting software
- The fire department was awarded two grants: a $3,520 SAFE and Senior SAFE grant for public safety education for older adults, and a $1,875 fire equipment grant
- The Board of Selectmen approved the Comcast cable license renewal, which includes a 5% payment of gross Comcast avenue revenues to be used for public TV
The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the budget proposal, which will now go to the Finance Committee for their review. The final budget will be presented to town meeting on May 14.
"I think we've come a long ways in seven years," Traynor says about the budget process. "You're the leader of that, so thank you," he adds, addressing Dennehy.
The board also reviewed and approved most of the town meeting articles that will be presented alongside the budget at the May 14 town meeting.