Finance Committee approves prior minutes, defers assessors budget review.
Finance Committee · Meeting of January 26, 2026
Topsfield Finance Committee approves January 12 minutes and defers assessors budget to February 2. Chair Che Elwell and members voted 6-0 on the prior record; Michael Hartmann was absent. Town Administrator Kevin Harutunian warned that Essex Tech's revised guaranteed admissions policy has raised Topsfield's required slots from seven to 15 students, with 32 applicants on file, a change that could significantly boost the town's regional school assessment.
Health insurance rates are projected to rise 8.3 percent for active staff and 17 percent for retirees, pending final notification in late February. Water Department Superintendent Greg Krom reported PFAS and Pressure Zones capital projects delayed pending state environmental guidance and further engineering review.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 373 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of January 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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