Shutesbury Finance Committee Zeros Out Assistant Treasurer Line, Approves Cash Reserve Move

SHUTESBURY — April 7, 2026 — Shutesbury Finance Committee approves cash reserve strategy and zeros dormant treasurer line in FY27 budget work session. The committee, meeting April 7 with one member on Zoom, unanimously approved using approximately $8,250 in cash reserves to cover the $11,000 veterans benefits line, consistent with last year's practice and an anticipated state reimbursement of $12,000 shown on the governor's cherry sheet. Members also zeroed out the assistant treasurer appropriation after confirming no one has held the position since at least 2020 and no dollars have been spent from the line in years. Total cash reserves allocated to balance the FY27 budget now stand at $208,250, with $73,535 in excess levy capacity being drawn down to close the gap. The committee projected an average single-family tax bill increase of roughly $481, with $170 of that attributable to new debt exclusion items including the Amherst Regional track and field project and middle school roof, whose combined debt service jumped the regional school bond line sharply in FY27.