Palmer Town Council Adopts $43.5 Million Fiscal 2027 Budget in Unanimous Vote

PALMER -- June 18, 2026, Palmer Town Council unanimously adopts $43.5 million fiscal 2027 budget and creates new district improvement financing fund. The council cleared 16 budget resolutions at its June 18 meeting, setting general fund appropriations of $43,501,661 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and approving a $4,864,934 wastewater treatment plant budget, a 4.5 percent rate increase for sewer customers. A $1,436,000 free cash transfer brought the town's general stabilization fund to $4,440,000, meeting the 10 percent of operating budget benchmark written into Palmer's financial policies; the town manager called it a milestone, telling the council "we've already met our benchmark." The council also established a new District Improvement Financing stabilization fund under MGL Chapter 40, Section 5b, making an initial $9,453 appropriation for fiscal 2027. Town Manager Brad received a 2 percent merit increase following an annual evaluation that yielded an overall score of 3.91 out of 5 across 11 performance categories. The council adjourned to executive session for collective bargaining strategy discussions with Palmer Police Dispatch UFCW Local 1459 and DPW and Administrative Unit UPSEU Local 424M.