Melrose City Council Approves FY27 Budget

MELROSE, MA — The City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve Mayor Jen Grigoraitis’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, a $126,652,797 spending plan that city officials say will make significant investments in schools, public safety, infrastructure, and accessibility.

The budget marks the first time in Melrose's history that annual spending includes dedicated capital line items for purchases and improvements such as school technology, a new police cruiser, EMS and fire equipment, traffic-calming measures, roadway repairs, and school building maintenance.

“Thanks to direct community investment from the 2025 override, this budget adheres to fiscal best practices for sustainability and stability while investing wisely in the services and programs our community needs,” Grigoraitis said. “I’m grateful to the city’s finance team, led by CFO Kerri Golden, and all of our department heads and staff for their diligent and thoughtful work in preparing budgets that meet this city’s needs while always respecting and safeguarding the public funds that make this budget possible.”

According to city officials, the FY27 budget includes the largest allocation to public schools in Melrose history. Other investments include increased funding for Health Department code enforcement, a regional animal control partnership with Stoneham and Wakefield, an additional full-time school nurse to serve multiple schools, on-demand translation services at City Hall, and a dedicated budget allocation for ADA public accommodations.

“The FY27 budget reflects the priorities of all Melrosians by investing in our schools, roads and infrastructure, parks and open space, and our first responders,” City Council President Brad Freeman said. “I thank Mayor Grigoraitis and her administration for bringing forward a responsible budget and engaging in a collaborative and transparent process with the City Council and Melrose residents.”

The budget process also received praise from members of the City Council's Appropriations and Oversight Committee, which conducted budget hearings before the vote.

“Last year, residents trusted us with the resources to reinvest in Melrose's people, infrastructure, and services,” said Councilor Devin Romanul, chair of the committee. “This budget puts that trust to work, and I want to thank my Council colleagues for their thoughtful engagement, the administration and department heads for tirelessly answering budgetary questions, and the residents whose feedback shaped it along the way.”

Councilor Kim Vandiver, the committee's vice chair, highlighted what she described as improvements in the city's budgeting practices and the ability to fund recurring capital needs through the annual budget.

“With structural deficit spending eliminated, and with additional funding from last year's override, we are now able to proactively budget for known recurring capital expenses in our annual budget,” Vandiver said. “I’m also happy to see the inclusion of funding for community amenities such as tree planting, sidewalk and road repair, ADA accessibility improvements, traffic calming, the Recreation Department, and staffing for Sunday library hours.”

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