By Carol Britton Meyer

Town Manager Jennifer Constable presented a preliminary fiscal 2026 budget overview in a joint meeting with the advisory board this week, based on assumptions, “not solid numbers,” as well as a draft financial policy manual.

The uncertainty in the budget is due in large part to the projected but as yet unconfirmed roughly 10% increase in health insurance costs, unknown state aid, and other numbers.

At the same time, Town Accountant Mike Buckley predicted a potential 4-1/2 to 5% budget increase for fiscal 2026 as compared with past 3 to 3-1/2% increases, due mainly to current debt obligations and the projected health insurance increase.

“Health insurance is one of the largest expenses,” Constable said. “We will stay conservative with the budget. …We have our hands full.”

The town’s revenue comes from property and excise taxes, state aid, ambulance receipts, and building permit fees.

Click here for the town manager’s FY26 budget presentation to the select board

Advisory board member Chad Wolfe asked whether Constable “will talk with department heads and say, ‘Here’s your [allowed] increase and manage that.’”

Constable said she is taking a different approach this year.

Source: Hull Town Manager's Office

“I’ve asked department heads for their wish lists. This allows them to think through their budgets and communicate to me their needs – some of the requests could be wishes – for discussion.”

Constable presented a fiscal calendar, starting with the beginning of the new fiscal year in July and also including budget and capital request meetings with department heads; presentation of the town manager’s proposed budget; and advisory board departmental budget meetings to refine revenue and expenditure estimates, leading up to next spring’s annual town meeting, where voters will have the final say.

Fiscal 2026 expenses in addition to debt and increased health insurance costs relate to seawall work, the Fort Revere project, pension liability, collective bargaining agreements, and assessments, Constable said.

Next steps include continuing to refine the fiscal 2026 budget and continuation with the capital improvement planning process; the advisory board and department budget meetings; finalization of the budget; the select board signing the town meeting warrant in late March, and the requested budget approval at the May 5, 2025 annual town meeting.

In other business…

• Constable presented the draft Town of Hull Financial Policy Manual, explaining why adopting one is important. The reasons include consistency of service; safeguarding and minimizing risk; ensuring the quality of capital investment; conforming to general law, uniform professional standards, and municipal best practice; protecting and enhancing the town’s bond rating; promoting transparency and public disclosure; and assuring accurate and timely reporting.

Click here to view the draft Financial Policy Manual

The policies relate to capital and financial planning, debt management, financial reserves, forecasting, investments, one-time reserves, financial operations, indirect cost allocations, and other post-employment benefits liability (OPEB).

Constable explained that for the most part, these financial policies “formalize what we are doing now, as well as include some newer processes that would be implemented over the course of the next couple of years. It’s an educational tool for the community as well.”

The next steps are for the select board and advisory board to review the manual for adoption and endorsement, respectively, followed by implementation of the policy.

**YOUNG GUNS.** The Hull Police Department welcomed four new officers to its ranks this week, as the newest recruits graduated from the Boylston Police Academy on Friday and were sworn in by the town clerk at the select board’s meeting on Wednesday. Shown at the graduation ceremony are, from left, Lt. Stephen Glavin, Officers Thomas Walters, Anthony Bates, Michael McDonald, and Thomas Bellew, and Chief John Dunn.

• Town Clerk Lori West administered the oath of office to the Hull Police Department’s newest officers, Anthony Bates, Thomas Bellew, Michael McDonald, and Thomas Walters, saying that swearing in officers is one of the “greatest privileges” in her role. West commended all four officers for their commitment “to upholding the values of public safety.” Constable noted that while some people are noting that “so many veteran officers are retiring and what a loss this is, there’s such a great [benefit to the town when new officers] join the force, setting an example in the community.”

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