{
 "as_of": "2026-10-10",
 "blocks": {
  "cuts": [
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "School Committee",
     "board_slug": "school-committee",
     "date": "2026-09-09",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWYbMFWJtI&t=5093s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "School Committee, 2026-09-09 · 84:53",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/school-committee/2026-09-09-tKWYbMFWJtI",
     "t": 5093
    },
    "date": "2026-09-09",
    "evidence": "school-committee/2026-09-09@5093",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "school programs and course offerings",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "The district will have to fight hard to keep offering all the programs and opportunities it currently offers — as students continue to choice out of the district and the district loses Chapter 70 money when they leave"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "School Committee",
     "board_slug": "school-committee",
     "date": "2026-09-09",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWYbMFWJtI&t=7272s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "School Committee, 2026-09-09 · 121:12",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/school-committee/2026-09-09-tKWYbMFWJtI",
     "t": 7272
    },
    "date": "2026-09-09",
    "evidence": "school-committee/2026-09-09@7272",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "town services and school funding",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "both",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "It will kill the schools and the rest of the town's services, or things will have to be closed — if the town does not expand its tax base, get more state money, or pass an override"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Select Board",
     "board_slug": "select-board",
     "date": "2026-09-15",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ&t=8150s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Select Board, 2026-09-15 · 135:50",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/select-board/2026-09-15-kig-BTakGjQ",
     "t": 8150
    },
    "date": "2026-09-15",
    "evidence": "select-board/2026-09-15@8150",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "extracurricular activities / athletics",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "the superintendent",
    "why": "the first thing she would look at cutting is extracurricular activities — if the money is not there next year"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Select Board",
     "board_slug": "select-board",
     "date": "2026-09-15",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ&t=8296s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Select Board, 2026-09-15 · 138:16",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/select-board/2026-09-15-kig-BTakGjQ",
     "t": 8296
    },
    "date": "2026-09-15",
    "evidence": "select-board/2026-09-15@8296",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "school transportation costs",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "transportation costs will rise further, worse than the increase seen over the last 4 years"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Select Board",
     "board_slug": "select-board",
     "date": "2026-09-15",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kig-BTakGjQ&t=8319s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Select Board, 2026-09-15 · 138:39",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/select-board/2026-09-15-kig-BTakGjQ",
     "t": 8319
    },
    "date": "2026-09-15",
    "evidence": "select-board/2026-09-15@8319",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "the coming town/school budget season overall",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "both",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "this budget season will not be better than last budget season, contrary to what people may think"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "School Committee",
     "board_slug": "school-committee",
     "date": "2026-09-16",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg&t=1326s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "School Committee, 2026-09-16 · 22:06",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/school-committee/2026-09-16-XY8Ru12S9Xg",
     "t": 1326
    },
    "date": "2026-09-16",
    "evidence": "school-committee/2026-09-16@1326",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "the turf field/track/drainage/retaining wall renovation",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "If the town does not act soon, the eventual renovation cost could rise from roughly 50% more to roughly 400% more — if the town does not act now"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "School Committee",
     "board_slug": "school-committee",
     "date": "2026-09-16",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8Ru12S9Xg&t=6373s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "School Committee, 2026-09-16 · 106:13",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/school-committee/2026-09-16-XY8Ru12S9Xg",
     "t": 6373
    },
    "date": "2026-09-16",
    "evidence": "school-committee/2026-09-16@6373",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "district finances and the need for a strong finance director",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "Without stronger financial leadership the district's financial crisis will not improve"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Finance Committee",
     "board_slug": "finance-committee",
     "date": "2026-09-24",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euQG57Zrac0&t=2392s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Finance Committee, 2026-09-24 · 39:52",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/finance-committee/2026-09-24-euQG57Zrac0",
     "t": 2392
    },
    "date": "2026-09-24",
    "evidence": "finance-committee/2026-09-24@2392",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "the cost of the FY26/FY27 school financial operations review",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a school committee official",
    "why": "The financial operations review is expected to be a one-time cost, not a recurring annual request to the Finance Committee."
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Select Board",
     "board_slug": "select-board",
     "date": "2026-09-29",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn0PV7qGjp4&t=7981s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Select Board, 2026-09-29 · 133:01",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/select-board/2026-09-29-Pn0PV7qGjp4",
     "t": 7981
    },
    "date": "2026-09-29",
    "evidence": "select-board/2026-09-29@7981",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "library teen room",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "town",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "the town manager",
    "why": "Teen room after-school activities are hard to manage without staff; option is closing the teen room after school. — if the position is not restored"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Select Board",
     "board_slug": "select-board",
     "date": "2026-09-29",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn0PV7qGjp4&t=8260s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Select Board, 2026-09-29 · 137:40",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/select-board/2026-09-29-Pn0PV7qGjp4",
     "t": 8260
    },
    "date": "2026-09-29",
    "evidence": "select-board/2026-09-29@8260",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "middle school track",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "the town manager",
    "why": "Losing six months could hurt the track project and conditions there are poor. — if funding waits for the regular capital cycle"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Select Board",
     "board_slug": "select-board",
     "date": "2026-10-06",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaRmbzsOMks&t=5976s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Select Board, 2026-10-06 · 99:36",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/select-board/2026-10-06-PaRmbzsOMks",
     "t": 5976
    },
    "date": "2026-10-06",
    "evidence": "select-board/2026-10-06@5976",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "FY2028 budget",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "both",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "Budget season could be bleak given inflation, health insurance increases and an existing school deficit"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Select Board",
     "board_slug": "select-board",
     "date": "2026-10-06",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaRmbzsOMks&t=5873s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Select Board, 2026-10-06 · 97:53",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/select-board/2026-10-06-PaRmbzsOMks",
     "t": 5873
    },
    "date": "2026-10-06",
    "evidence": "select-board/2026-10-06@5873",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "override and municipal building funding",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "town",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "The town should get through one year without an override proposition before asking for building money; a member is concerned an override will fail"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Select Board",
     "board_slug": "select-board",
     "date": "2026-10-06",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaRmbzsOMks&t=1936s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Select Board, 2026-10-06 · 32:16",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/select-board/2026-10-06-PaRmbzsOMks",
     "t": 1936
    },
    "date": "2026-10-06",
    "evidence": "select-board/2026-10-06@1936",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "budget tension",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "both",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "Tension between school and town budgets will persist because no new money is coming"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Select Board",
     "board_slug": "select-board",
     "date": "2026-10-06",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaRmbzsOMks&t=8146s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Select Board, 2026-10-06 · 135:46",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/select-board/2026-10-06-PaRmbzsOMks",
     "t": 8146
    },
    "date": "2026-10-06",
    "evidence": "select-board/2026-10-06@8146",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "stormwater MS4 compliance",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "town",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "Funding stormwater from the operating budget would strain the rest of the budget and likely bring a more immediate override — if funded through the operating budget rather than an enterprise fund"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "School Committee",
     "board_slug": "school-committee",
     "date": "2026-10-07",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPZcnFd5COw&t=5651s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "School Committee, 2026-10-07 · 94:11",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/school-committee/2026-10-07-kPZcnFd5COw",
     "t": 5651
    },
    "date": "2026-10-07",
    "evidence": "school-committee/2026-10-07@5651",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "out-of-district placements",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "Out-of-district placements will keep growing, to almost 20 in the next couple of years."
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "School Committee",
     "board_slug": "school-committee",
     "date": "2026-10-07",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPZcnFd5COw&t=6015s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "School Committee, 2026-10-07 · 100:15",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/school-committee/2026-10-07-kPZcnFd5COw",
     "t": 6015
    },
    "date": "2026-10-07",
    "evidence": "school-committee/2026-10-07@6015",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "upcoming budget",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "It is going to be a rough budget season."
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "School Committee",
     "board_slug": "school-committee",
     "date": "2026-10-07",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPZcnFd5COw&t=6920s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "School Committee, 2026-10-07 · 115:20",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/school-committee/2026-10-07-kPZcnFd5COw",
     "t": 6920
    },
    "date": "2026-10-07",
    "evidence": "school-committee/2026-10-07@6920",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "capital planning",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "The track and field project will consume most of the capital money, leaving other school projects unfunded. — if it goes through the capital planning process"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Finance Committee",
     "board_slug": "finance-committee",
     "date": "2026-10-08",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Md_UYOImC0&t=6655s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Finance Committee, 2026-10-08 · 110:55",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/finance-committee/2026-10-08-1Md_UYOImC0",
     "t": 6655
    },
    "date": "2026-10-08",
    "evidence": "finance-committee/2026-10-08@6655",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "stormwater MS4 funding",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "town",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "Stormwater compliance must be funded by cuts elsewhere, an override, or a utility. — if not funded through a utility"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Finance Committee",
     "board_slug": "finance-committee",
     "date": "2026-10-08",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Md_UYOImC0&t=4823s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Finance Committee, 2026-10-08 · 80:23",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/finance-committee/2026-10-08-1Md_UYOImC0",
     "t": 4823
    },
    "date": "2026-10-08",
    "evidence": "finance-committee/2026-10-08@4823",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "special education placements",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "the superintendent",
    "why": "Out-of-district placements expected to keep rising and could exceed what is available. — without more funding"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Finance Committee",
     "board_slug": "finance-committee",
     "date": "2026-10-08",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Md_UYOImC0&t=1480s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Finance Committee, 2026-10-08 · 24:40",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/finance-committee/2026-10-08-1Md_UYOImC0",
     "t": 1480
    },
    "date": "2026-10-08",
    "evidence": "finance-committee/2026-10-08@1480",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "FY28 budget policy exceptions",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "town",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "Fiscal policy cannot be fully revised before FY28 budget, so exceptions to policy may be needed."
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Finance Committee",
     "board_slug": "finance-committee",
     "date": "2026-10-08",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Md_UYOImC0&t=7583s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Finance Committee, 2026-10-08 · 126:23",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/finance-committee/2026-10-08-1Md_UYOImC0",
     "t": 7583
    },
    "date": "2026-10-08",
    "evidence": "finance-committee/2026-10-08@7583",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "track and field project",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "warned",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "If track and field work is not started now, the project slips to 2028 or beyond. — if routed through capital planning"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": null,
    "date": "2027-03-18",
    "evidence": "",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "The cut list",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "expected",
    "who": "a School Committee vote",
    "why": "usually mid-March — FY27: 18 Mar; FY26: 12 Mar"
   },
   {
    "block": "cuts",
    "cite": null,
    "date": "2027-03-31",
    "evidence": "",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "The town’s cuts",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "town",
    "status": "expected",
    "who": "the town manager",
    "why": "with the balanced budget — FY27: 31 Mar"
   }
  ],
  "deficit": [
   {
    "block": "deficit",
    "cite": {
     "board": "School Committee",
     "board_slug": "school-committee",
     "date": "2026-09-09",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWYbMFWJtI&t=70s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "School Committee, 2026-09-09 · 1:10",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/school-committee/2026-09-09-tKWYbMFWJtI",
     "t": 70
    },
    "date": "2026-09-09",
    "evidence": "school-committee/2026-09-09@70",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "A deficit remains",
    "note": "the year’s first statement of a gap; no figure yet",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "path",
    "who": "the chair",
    "why": "even after the $418,000 the Special Town Meeting approved — “does not erase the deficit”"
   },
   {
    "block": "deficit",
    "cite": null,
    "date": "2027-01-22",
    "evidence": "",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "The schools’ first number",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "expected",
    "who": "the superintendent",
    "why": "usually late January — FY27: 21 Jan; FY26: 22 Jan"
   },
   {
    "block": "deficit",
    "cite": null,
    "date": "2027-02-05",
    "evidence": "",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "The Town Manager’s target for the schools",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "expected",
    "who": "the town manager",
    "why": "usually early February, with the preliminary budget the Charter requires by mid-February — FY27: 19 Feb; FY26: 5 Feb"
   },
   {
    "block": "deficit",
    "cite": null,
    "date": "2027-03-04",
    "evidence": "",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "The gap, corrected",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "expected",
    "who": "the district",
    "why": "it moves as grants, offsets and mistakes are found — FY27: 4 Mar; FY26: 12 Mar"
   }
  ],
  "final": [
   {
    "block": "final",
    "cite": null,
    "date": "2027-05-01",
    "evidence": "",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "Annual Town Meeting",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "both",
    "status": "expected",
    "who": "",
    "why": "the first Saturday in May in recent years — FY27: 2 May; FY26: 3 May"
   },
   {
    "block": "final",
    "cite": null,
    "date": "2027-05-15",
    "evidence": "",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "Annual Town Election",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "both",
    "status": "expected",
    "who": "",
    "why": "two weeks after Town Meeting — FY27: 16 May; FY26: 17 May"
   }
  ],
  "late": [
   {
    "block": "late",
    "cite": {
     "board": "School Committee",
     "board_slug": "school-committee",
     "date": "2026-09-09",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWYbMFWJtI&t=7724s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "School Committee, 2026-09-09 · 128:44",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/school-committee/2026-09-09-tKWYbMFWJtI",
     "t": 7724
    },
    "date": "2026-09-09",
    "evidence": "school-committee/2026-09-09@7724",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "Free cash may not be certified in time for November",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "town",
    "status": "move",
    "who": "the chair",
    "why": "the November special town meeting article that would use it may have to wait"
   }
  ],
  "override": [
   {
    "block": "override",
    "cite": {
     "board": "Select Board",
     "board_slug": "select-board",
     "date": "2026-09-01",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG4KE9VgCdY&t=3185s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "Select Board, 2026-09-01 · 53:05",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/select-board/2026-09-01-kG4KE9VgCdY",
     "t": 3185
    },
    "date": "2026-09-01",
    "evidence": "select-board/2026-09-01@3185",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "Third override in a row to fail — the chair traces the shortfall to it",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "town",
    "status": "step",
    "who": "the chair",
    "why": "the current budget shortfall process traces back to the override failing"
   },
   {
    "block": "override",
    "cite": {
     "board": "School Committee",
     "board_slug": "school-committee",
     "date": "2026-09-09",
     "href": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKWYbMFWJtI&t=7252s",
     "kind": "meeting",
     "label": "School Committee, 2026-09-09 · 120:52",
     "page": "/meeting-minutes/school-committee/2026-09-09-tKWYbMFWJtI",
     "t": 7252
    },
    "date": "2026-09-09",
    "evidence": "school-committee/2026-09-09@7252",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "A member intends to seek more at Town Meeting",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "step",
    "who": "a member",
    "why": "“personally intends to go for more funding at town meeting because the schools need more”"
   },
   {
    "block": "override",
    "cite": null,
    "date": "2027-03-10",
    "evidence": "",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "Whether an override is filed",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "both",
    "status": "expected",
    "who": "the Select Board, or residents by petition",
    "why": "FY27: the Tri-Board on 10 Mar, the question placed 31 Mar; FY26: a petition on the warrant by 3 Apr"
   },
   {
    "block": "override",
    "cite": null,
    "date": "2027-04-06",
    "evidence": "",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "Finance Committee recommendations",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "both",
    "status": "expected",
    "who": "the Finance Committee",
    "why": "usually the first week of April"
   }
  ],
  "proposals": [
   {
    "block": "proposals",
    "cite": null,
    "date": "2027-02-25",
    "evidence": "",
    "figure": "",
    "fte": null,
    "item": "The scenarios",
    "note": "",
    "scope": "school",
    "status": "expected",
    "who": "the superintendent",
    "why": "level service, core, balanced — the names change — usually late February; FY27: 25 Feb; FY26: 5 and 26 Feb"
   }
  ]
 },
 "fy": 2028,
 "id": "fy28",
 "lines": [],
 "live": true,
 "model": "notes/process/BUDGET-SEASON-MODEL.md",
 "proposed": 4,
 "rows": 35,
 "source": "sources/data/budget-seasons/fy28.csv",
 "titles": {
  "live": {
   "sub": "opens 2026-09-04; the builder reads the record from that date and proposes rows",
   "title": "yes"
  }
 }
}