The 1976 Annual Town Meeting voted that the Finance Committee publish a budget guideline to help schools and the Town develop their annual operating budgets.  This vote specified that a budget guideline percent would be provided to the schools and the town no later than November 30 of the preceding budget year (Nov 30, 2020 for the fiscal FY22 budget).  This date was based on an assumption that the warrant would close approximately 5 weeks after the published guideline.

This year, the Select Board voted to defer the 2021 Town Meeting date until June 13, 2021 and close the warrant on March 26, 2021. The Finance Committee, therefore, voted to delay publishing the FY22 budget guideline until February 26, 2021.  This gives the schools and the Town more time to develop thoughtful, informed budget proposals.  Furthermore, at the June 2021 Town Meeting, the Finance Committee will submit an article to change the date set for publishing the guideline.