Dunstable Finance Committee Backs Meals Tax Warrant Article, Hears Lean FY27 Budget

DUNSTABLE -- March 25, 2026, Dunstable Finance Committee signals support for a local meals tax warrant article and absorbs a cautionary FY27 budget presentation. The Economic Development Committee asked the Finance Committee to back a 0.75 percent local meals surcharge, bringing Dunstable's combined rate to 7 percent, in line with Ayer, Groton, Pepperell, and other neighboring towns, with a conservative revenue estimate of roughly $7,500 annually given the current restaurant base of Farmhouse Cafe and a Dunkin' Donuts franchise. No formal vote was taken, but committee members expressed unanimous informal support, noting the town's MCO development project could soon add a restaurant-capable commercial building. The town administrator then presented a FY27 budget rising 5.81 percent on the municipal side and 6.15 percent for schools, warning that "this budget is leaner than I've had since I've been here" and that any unexpected expenditure would likely require a free cash draw; a $50,000 free cash allocation and $100,000 in PFAS settlement funds are proposed for stabilization accounts, targeting balances of $550,000 general and $200,000 CIP. The warrant closing deadline is March 30.