The Select Board on Feb. 6 voted unanimously to set spending limits for town revolving funds for fiscal 2026, covering beach improvement, recreation programs, airport fuel and housing-related funds.

The motion, brought during the board's meeting on Feb. 6, sets specific annual spending caps for revolving accounts established under the town code (section 19-21). Brian (staff member), who presented the item, listed the limits: beach improvement $634,500; community recreation programming $100,000; tennis courts $100,000; conservation fund $35,000; "Pick inspections" salaries $223,075; seasonal food inspections $80,000; seasonal employee housing (formerly "lifeguard housing") $67,500; road repairs $100,000; public works housing (Hillside) $600,000; low beach housing $67,500; municipal aggregation adder $250,000; airport fuel aviation revolving fund $6,000,000; employee housing (referencing a previously approved article) and concessions spending limit $400,000.

Why it matters: the spending limits determine how much each revolving account may spend without further appropriation and identify funds the town will use for its ongoing operations and capital transitions. Brian told the board the public works housing and other housing-related spending will draw on an account balance “a little over $700,000” and that some of those monies will defray renovation and relocation costs associated with moving houses to Hillside as part of ongoing projects.

Board members asked how the airport fund operates and whether the town is exposed to fuel-price volatility. Jeremy (Select Board member) asked how the airport would increase its $6,000,000 spending limit if fuel costs spiked. Brian said Massachusetts law allows a revolving fund's spending authority to be increased during the fiscal year but any midyear increase requires approval of both the Finance Committee and the Select Board; he added that the airport's fund is separately managed by the airport under a home-rule petition and that the town does not directly manage airport fuel receipts.

The board also noted a bylaw-change item that will rename the "lifeguard housing" revolving account to "seasonal employee housing"; Brian said that change had been noted and placed on the warrant in a separate article for voters to consider. Board members confirmed the town resets spending limits annually so limits do not automatically escalate year to year.

The motion to adopt the proposed 2026 spending limits passed unanimously on a roll-call vote: Peter (Select Board member) Aye; Chris (Select Board member) Aye; Jeremy Aye; Joe Aye; Joanna Aye; Rob Aye; Denise Aye.

The board moved next to Article 30 following the vote.