Finance Committee Hears $460,000 FY27 Gap Remains as July Deadline Looms

MANSFIELD — May 21, 2026 — Mansfield Finance Committee hears $460,000 FY27 shortfall remains unresolved with layoffs still possible. Town Manager Mallory Ahlborg told the committee Thursday that the town's published savings list has grown from $752,000 to $947,000 following retiree health insurance contribution changes — projected to save more than $80,000 — and a reduced SEMRACK assessment, but roughly $460,000 in additional savings is still being sought through union negotiations before July 1. Ahlborg said bluntly that failure to close the gap would mean "additional layoffs," calling it a last resort after years of lean operations. She also presented a new FY28 budget process document calling for tri-board meetings beginning in October, a restructured Capital Improvement Plan timeline, and public focus groups — with a potential Proposition 2½ override on the horizon. On long-term items, the Roland Green building has been demolished and bids are due July 31; Bristol County pension relief is pending a mid-July actuarial report that could push the town's full-funding deadline past 2035.