Simulate the June 9 override vote — see what passes, what gets cut, and what it costs
The deficit comes from: health insurance +11% ($1.65M), pension +9% ($0.46M), new trash contract ($0.84M), salary growth ($3.23M), and the loss of $4M in one-time free cash that propped up FY26.
| Department | FY26 Budget | FY27 (Your Vote) | Change | Impact |
|---|
Source: Article 29 Override Presentation, Town Meeting May 4, 2026. "A NO vote tonight or in June: 43.5 positions lost."
| 3 classroom teachers | Marblehead High School |
| Math intervention specialist | Veterans Middle School |
| 1.75 FTE ELL teachers | Village School |
| ~12.5 additional FTE | Various (support staff, aides) |
| 8 full-time staff positions | Abbot Public Library |
| Hours: 52 → 24/week (3 days). Decertification risk. | |
| Community Development Director | Planning/Zoning |
| School Resource Officer (SRO) | Police → Schools |
| DPW staff (multiple) | Public Works |
| Recreation groundskeeping | Parks & Rec |
| Town building custodial | Facilities |
| Clerks / support staff | Various |
| 1 fire shift/week cut | Fire (overtime spike) |
| All non-obligated capital projects eliminated | |
| Core budget held harmless | $5,216,914 |
| 33 sworn officers maintained | 1.6 per 1,000 residents |
| MA average for towns under 50K: ~1.8 per 1,000. Marblehead is slightly below average — more officers per capita than 30% of comparable depts (Police Scorecard). | |
| School Resource Officer eliminated | No override |
| 1 open position left unfunded | Public safety |
| "Protection of life and property is one of the most critical things that we do." — Town Administrator Kezer | |
Note: Specific position titles beyond those listed are not yet public. The Select Board approved 10 municipal cuts; the full list may be released closer to the June 9 vote.
From the Memorandum of Understanding (April 7, 2026). Shows maximum draw from override funds by year. Note: Year 1 is 100% municipal; schools don't draw until FY28.
FY27 General Fund breakdown — $109.8M total. Schools are 43% of the budget. Fixed costs (insurance, pension, debt) are 35%.
General Obligation Bonds as of June 30, 2024. Rates: 2.00%–5.00%. Debt is front-loaded and declining — most bonds retire by FY40.
| Period | Principal | Interest | Total | Avg/Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY25 | $7.54M | $3.45M | $10.99M | — |
| FY26 | $5.96M | $3.16M | $9.12M | — |
| FY27 | $6.23M | $2.89M | $9.11M | — |
| FY28 | $6.50M | $2.61M | $9.11M | — |
| FY29 | $6.72M | $2.32M | $9.04M | — |
| FY30–34 | $34.01M | $7.50M | $41.51M | $8.30M |
| FY35–39 | $24.81M | $2.72M | $27.53M | $5.51M |
| FY40–44 | $9.31M | $0.36M | $9.67M | $1.93M |
Known projects funded by debt: Abbot Library renovation (~$8.5M), Mary Alley Building HVAC, MHS Roof + HVAC ($8.97M contract, $2.1M under budget)
Source: Town of Marblehead FY24 ACFR (Annual Comprehensive Financial Report)