Shrewsbury Town Meeting To Consider $197M Budget, Zoning Changes

SHREWSBURY, MA — Shrewsbury Town Meeting members will weigh a proposed $197.6 million FY27 budget, Community Preservation Act projects, zoning changes and other major initiatives during the town’s 2026 Annual Town Meeting next week.

The 2026 Annual Town Meeting is set for Monday, May 18 at the Oak Middle School Auditorium, 45 Oak St. It is set to begin at 7 p.m. and continue on May 19 if needed.

A warrant of 37 articles is now available on the town’s website here. The documents outline several key issues that could shape the town’s future.

FY 27 Budget

One of the biggest items on the warrant is the town’s proposed fiscal 2027 operating budget, including spending plans for the general fund, solid waste enterprise fund, sewer, water and stormwater operations.

The Finance Committee’s recommendations and detailed budget materials were released ahead of the meeting as part of the town’s annual Town Meeting packet.

The expenditures detailed in the financial plan for FY 27 total $197,596,611, which is more than $5 million more than FY26, according to the town’s FY27 Annual Budget and Financial Plan released in February.

Community Preservation Act Requests

Several Community Preservation Act-funded projects are scheduled for debate.

Among the proposals:

• Creating a local rental assistance program (Article 27)
• Installing field lighting at Maple Avenue Field (Article 28)
• Accessibility improvements at the District 5 Schoolhouse (Article 29)

Town Meeting Members will also vote on CPA funding transfers and reserve allocations.

ADU, Summer Housing Zoning Proposal

One of the more closely watched articles, Article 30, concerns a zoning bylaw amendment related to summer houses and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

The Planning Board submitted a memo to Town Meeting Members regarding the proposal.

Accessory dwelling unit proposals have become a major topic in communities across Massachusetts as towns respond to housing demand and state housing initiatives

New Electronic Voting System

This year’s meeting will also mark the town’s first use of electronic voting devices.

Town Meeting approved a bylaw amendment in 2025 allowing electronic voting, according to the Town Manager’s memo.

Officials plan to conduct training and mock votes during the pre-town meeting session to familiarize members with the system before the official meeting begins.

Additional warrant articles include:

• Funding for lakes, ponds and waterways (Article 20)
• Acceptance of Chapter 90 roadway improvement funds (Article 18)
• Funding town-related 300th anniversary celebration expenses (Article 36)
• Establishing a fire apparatus replacement fund (Article 33)
• Requests for special legislation involving digital legal notices and income and asset limits (Article 31)

Shrewsbury operates under a representative Town Meeting form of government, with elected Town Meeting Members voting on warrant articles on behalf of residents.

Shrewsbury's legislative body is composed of 240 Town Meeting Members, elected among the 10 precincts for a three-year term, according to the town clerk's office.

In last week's annual town election, Shrewsbury residents elected 70 Town Meeting Members.

See Also:

• Shrewsbury 2026 Official Election Results: Sharma, Garcia Claim Select Board Wins
• ‘I'm Deeply Honored’: Newest Shrewsbury Select Board Member Takes Oath Of Office
• Black Bear Spotted Near Busy Road In Shrewsbury Safely Relocated