Littleton Board of Health Reinstates Health Agent Budget Request, Weighs Westford Partnership

LITTLETON -- January 14, 2026, Littleton's Board of Health voted to restore a health agent position to its FY27 budget request and pursue a potential shared-service arrangement with Westford. The four-member board, Chair Kevin Davis, Vice Chair Matt Wayson, Daniel Kane, and Kevin Baker, reached consensus at the January 14 virtual meeting that the position should be formally submitted to the Finance Committee and Select Board rather than quietly omitted based on informal guidance from town administration that it would not be approved. Health Director Francis Dagle said a 50-50 cost-sharing arrangement with Westford would put Littleton's share at an estimated $46,000 to $65,000 depending on benefits, and that a shared full-time position would be more hireable than a solo 19-hour-per-week post with no benefits. "Having them have to actively discuss or say no in public is putting that decision out into the public," said Kane, arguing that a public denial by the Finance Committee or Select Board is more accountable than administrative self-censorship. Wayson added two more budget items: the annual cost of five board members' individual town email accounts and approximately $50,000 for a long-delayed Health Director office build-out. The board's FY27 budget presentation is scheduled for February 4.