Shutesbury Select Board Signs Ambulance Deal, Hires Assessor, Reviews $8.3M Budget

SHUTESBURY -- March 31, 2026, Shutesbury Select Board approves ambulance contract, new assessor, and reviews a proposed $8.3 million FY27 budget projecting a $500 average tax increase. The board unanimously signed a three-year ambulance service agreement with the Town of Amherst at $38,784 for FY27, rising to $41,146 by FY29, and appointed Jay Wallahan as administrative assessor at 16 hours per week following his March 17 retirement. The Finance Committee presented a proposed FY27 budget of $8,338,475, a 7.45 percent increase over FY26, estimating the average single-family tax bill will rise from $6,770 to at least $7,267, a figure members warned could be understated by $50 to $60. A proposed $800,000 fire truck purchase drew pointed questions from Select Board member Eric Stocker, who noted the town is simultaneously weighing a potential $1 million school parking lot project and ongoing dam repairs: "I'm just not sure what the priority should be." The Finance Committee voted 7-0 to recommend three Municipal Light Plant budget articles, and the board scheduled an additional warrant review for April 8 at 5 p.m., with a posting deadline of April 23 and town meeting set for May 9.