$4,877,742property tax supported surplus in 2025, against a budget of $0
The Town's note on its budget turns the big "annual surplus" into a smaller number that shows how the tax-paid side did. For 2025 the budget for that number was $0. The statements show $4,877,742, after $5,352,789 in 2024. The Town's own table then shows the general surplus (the part not set aside for anything) going from $6,684,633 at the end of 2024 to a deficit of $(55,577) at the end of 2025, while a reserve called "property tax stabilizing" (money kept to smooth out tax increases) grew from $3,714,957 to $8,037,915. The statements do not say how much of the leftover money went to that reserve, and we could not read the 2026 budget book to see whether the Town explains it there.
$28,369,266spent on assets in 2025, against a budget of $72,438,519
Capital spending means buying or building things that last, such as roads, buildings and water pipes. The 2025 budget planned $72,438,519 for it. The statements show $28,369,266. The 2024 budget planned $89,808,993 and the statements show $25,053,652. Grants that were to pay for part of the work also came in lower in 2025. For example, federal money for transportation was budgeted at $3,468,844 and came in at $1,499,656. By the end of 2025 the Town had $32,856,036 of assets still under construction.
$2,784,414investment income in 2025, against a budget of $1,200,000
Investment income is the interest the Town earns on money it holds. The 2024 budget planned $750,000 and the statements show $4,970,913. The 2025 budget planned $1,200,000 and the statements show $2,784,414. At the end of 2025 cash and short-term investments totalled $88,961,998. The Town's restricted term deposits paid 2.65% (from 4.32% to 5.00% a year earlier). We did not find the Town's own explanation for how it sets this budget line.
$(584,707)building permits balance at the end of 2025, after $(237,242) at the start
The Town's note on deferred revenue lists money that is held for a set purpose. Most lines, such as development charges, are positive. The "Building permits" line was a deficit of $(237,242) at the start of 2025 and $(584,707) at the end. Building permit fees are collected to cover the cost of running the building department. A deficit means that, on this account, more has been paid out than collected.