The Hudson Budget Committee met on Oct. 1 to finalize preparations for the 2026 – 2027 budget season. Committee Chair James Lawrence presented a packed November schedule with some members frustrated with the time they will be given to review the School District budget.
Lawrence noting that the Committee’s review would begin later than expected.
He began by saying, “This is based on when the town and school plan to submit their final approved budgets,” said “After we receive the town’s budgets, we’ll start on Nov. 12. Additional review dates are Nov. 13, Nov. 17, with a wrap-up on Nov. 19 and a reserve day on Nov. 20 if needed. We’re proposing to begin reviewing the school budget in early December – Dec. 3, 10, 11, and 12.”
The town will hold public hearings on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, and Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, with a backup date of Jan. 16 if needed. Hearings are typically held at 7 p.m. at the Hudson Community Center. All dates are subject to change.
Committee member Shawn Jasper expressed frustration with the delayed start to the school budget review.
“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that we’re not going to be working on the school district budget until December,” Jasper said. “Years ago, when we had far less IT support, we started budgets in September.”
Jasper warned that the complexity of the 2026 – 2027 fiscal year budget would require more time than the current schedule allows.
“I don’t know how we’re supposed to do the school budget in essentially three nights. It’s disgraceful,” he said. “With holiday schedules and everything else people have to manage, this just isn’t acceptable.”
Lawrence acknowledged the compressed timeline and suggested requesting additional dates for school budget review.
“I knew this was going to be tight when I saw the proposed submission dates,” he said. “We’re probably past the point of changing it for this cycle, but in future years, it would be appreciated if the budgets were ready before November.”
School Board Liaison Maureen Dionne explained that 2025 is a transitional year for the Hudson School District, with new software and a new business administrator.
“Please know that we’re reviewing how the budget is presented,” Dionne said. “We’re more than willing to have a conversation about how the information is shared.”
Committee member Walsh proposed holding public hearings on a Saturday to encourage greater attendance.
“Many people aren’t going to want to come in on a Thursday night,” Walsh said. “With my rose-colored glasses, I wonder if more people might attend on a Saturday.”
However, most committee members expressed concerns about their availability on weekends, and no changes were made to the hearing schedule.
