Dartmouth Finance Committee Reviews $3.7 Million CPC Package, Hears Farm Fund Pitch

DARTMOUTH — April 2, 2026 — Dartmouth Finance Committee reviews a $3.7 million CPC warrant and learns all 11 municipal unions have agreed to a health insurance switch. Community Preservation Committee Chair Buddy Baker Smith presented six FY27 warrant articles totaling $3,696,194 — the largest CPC slate in at least 15 to 20 years — and showed financial projections indicating the town would retain roughly $3 million in available funds by FY29 even after committing the full package. The marquee request is $1.5 million to capitalize a new Agricultural Preservation Fund under MGL Chapter 40, which Agricultural Commission Chair Derek Christensen said would let the town act proactively on remaining farmland rather than "be reactionary" when owners decide to sell. Other requests include $853,300 in additional funding for the Dartmouth Cultural Center renovation at the historic Old Southworth Library, a $575,000 conservation restriction on Davol Field as a riverside passive park in partnership with the Buzzards Bay Coalition, $461,394 for DCTV exterior repairs, and $230,000 to replace 112 aging metal halide fixtures at Crapo Field with LEDs. Gary Carreiro, filling in for Town Administrator Cody Haddad, announced that all 11 municipal unions have signed on to move employee health coverage to the South Coast Municipal Health Group, ending a relationship with the prior insurer dating to 2012. The committee approved the March 5 meeting minutes 5-0-1, with William Boles abstaining, and adjourned unanimously at 6:30 p.m.