The Issues Shrewsbury is Facing

🗣️ “Shrewsbury’s budget is balanced for now, but we are heading toward a projected $11.35 million deficit by 2030. We need smart financial planning to avoid drastic cuts or another override.”

✅ What I’ll Do:

• Push for better long-term financial forecasting and ensure town leadership proactively addresses future shortfalls.
• Advocate for more diverse revenue sources instead of just increasing taxes on residents.
• Ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely to maintain services without unnecessary spending.

📌 Key Fact: The town’s Override Stabilization Fund will be depleted by 2030, meaning we need a clear financial strategy before then.

🗣️ “Our police and fire departments keep Shrewsbury safe, but the FY26 budget failed to fund 4 new police officers and 1 fire captain. We can’t afford to shortchange public safety.”

✅ What I’ll Do:

• Prioritize fully funding emergency services so we don’t compromise response times or public safety.
• Support strategic hiring to ensure our public safety teams aren’t stretched too thin.

📌 Key Fact: $495K in wage increases were funded for Police & Fire, but critical new positions were left unfunded, leaving gaps in safety coverage.

 🗣️ “Our roads, stormwater systems, and public utilities need serious attention, but the town cut $2.6M from stormwater projects and $1.2M from sewer improvements. Ignoring these issues today will cost us more tomorrow.”

✅ What I’ll Do:

• Ensure stormwater and sewer projects get proper funding to prevent flooding and infrastructure failures.
• Push for a long-term capital plan so we stop playing catch-up on maintenance.

📌 Key Fact: Stormwater funding was cut by over 60%—this could impact drainage, road flooding, and long-term environmental concerns.

 🗣️ “Shrewsbury’s average single-family tax bill is already above most comparable towns ($8,511 per year), and if we don’t manage spending wisely, we’ll be forced to increase taxes again.”

✅ What I’ll Do:

• Fight for responsible spending that doesn’t automatically rely on tax hikes.
• Push for smart economic growth to expand our tax base without overburdening homeowners.
• Advocate for cost-saving measures like shared services between departments.

📌 Key Fact: Debt payments will nearly triple by 2030—if not managed, this could force another override.

 🗣️ “Shrewsbury must grow responsibly, balancing development with affordability so families, seniors, and young professionals can all thrive.”

✅ What I’ll Do:

• Support smart, strategic growth that expands our tax base while maintaining our community character.
• Advocate for responsible housing policies that align with town needs and state law.
• Ensure town investments align with real resident needs, not just developer interests.

📌 Key Fact: The town’s goal is to add $100M+ in new property tax value annually—we need to ensure this growth benefits residents, not just developers.

 🗣️ “Shrewsbury has made big investments in schools, public safety, and infrastructure—but debt payments will nearly triple by 2030. We must be smart about future borrowing.”

✅ What I’ll Do:

• Ensure town borrowing is strategic, necessary, and sustainable.
• Advocate for paying down debt efficiently so future generations aren’t burdened.
• Push for transparent financial oversight so residents know how their tax dollars are spent.

📌 Key Fact: Debt payments will increase from $12.3M to $31.2M by FY30, limiting flexibility for future town improvements.