Littleton Select Board Defers Second Police Officer, Narrows FY2025 Budget Gap to $52,548

LITTLETON — February 26, 2024 — Littleton Select Board cuts second police officer from FY2025 budget, trims deficit to about $52,000. Meeting jointly with the Finance Committee, Town Administrator Ryan Luiz presented revised budget figures that reduced a $3.3 million structural gap to roughly $52,548, led by a health insurance savings of just over $300,000 after the town's rate through the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association came in at about 3.2 percent against a pool average of 6.6 percent. The board reached consensus to defer hiring a second police officer — a position estimated at roughly $92,000 to $95,000 fully loaded — with members citing uncertainty over a new fire chief's contract, four active union negotiations, and unresolved costs at Nagog Hill Orchard. The remaining surplus of roughly $40,000 is the board's cushion heading into those unknowns. The board also voted unanimously to issue a one-day liquor license to Dirigible Brewing Company LLC for a March 15 fundraiser at the Reuben Hoar Library, appoint Kimberly Albertelli to the Affordable Housing Trust, and schedule a March 11 license-violation hearing after detectives confirmed an alcohol sale to a minor at Littleton Convenience on January 10.