Finance Committee Delays Free Cash Vote to Nov. 5
Reading's Finance Committee postponed its free cash and capital spending vote until November 5, a day after voters decide a town override. Chief Financial Officer Sharon Angstrom reported an estimated $14.52 million in free cash and a $9.75 million structural deficit projected for fiscal 2028.
Finance Committee · Meeting of October 7, 2026
Reading's Finance Committee postponed its free cash and capital spending vote until November 5, a day after voters decide a town override. Chief Financial Officer Sharon Angstrom reported an estimated $14.52 million in free cash and a $9.75 million structural deficit projected for fiscal 2028. "It's basically part of our structural deficit... that's just unsustainable," Angstrom said of the town's reliance on reserves to balance recent budgets.
Select Board member Chris Haley said he'd back a second override at $5 million if the current proposal fails. The town is holding 11.5 positions open, including three firefighter slots, to avoid roughly $345,000 in unemployment costs tied to potential layoffs. School officials previewed a $3 million to $4 million budget-cut scenario review set for the next night.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,504 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of October 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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