Joint Select Board and School Committee Meeting // September 28, 2026

The September 28, 2026 joint informational meeting of the Marshfield Select Board and School Committee opened with Select Board business: members voted to close a public hearing and approve transfer of the former DAV all-alcohol license to AMVETS Post 1996 at 108 Dyke Road, appointing John C. Daly as manager subject to ABCC approval. The joint session then reviewed the town’s preliminary five-year financial outlook; no budget or procurement decisions were made. The town administrator projected a FY2028 shortfall of about $2.76 million under a scenario of 2.5% budget increases, with health-care and pension costs identified as major pressures. Other cost factors include vocational-school assessments and debt service, collective bargaining, and uncertain revenue assumptions. The boards plan further budget work, with updated projections expected around November and another joint discussion planned for February.

Procurement- and capital-related discussion included a DPW representative’s explanation that approximately $9 million in seawall repairs must have funding in place by October 31 to preserve eligibility for FEMA reimbursement; the matter was expected to be considered at upcoming town meetings, but no funding vote occurred at this meeting. School officials reported that the school-bus contract costs about $1.7 million annually, has one year remaining through FY2028, and will then go out to bid; no vendor selection was discussed. The superintendent and staff also described school budget pressures, including transportation, utilities, special-education services, and 95 positions eliminated over three years. No contract awards or purchasing approvals were identified.