The Marshfield Select Board has approved the town’s $119,926,729 budget for Fiscal Year 2026, advancing it to the Advisory Board for further review ahead of Town Meeting. The budget reflects increased funding for education, public safety, and infrastructure while managing debt obligations and rising utility costs.
Michael Maresco, Marshfield’s Town Administrator, outlined key budget allocations, including a 3% increase in the school department’s budget, amounting to an additional $1,731,069 over the previous fiscal year.
“Public safety’s increased $928,028. Public Works, DPW, has increased by $436,653,” Maresco said. “General government has increased by $544,373 or 13.6%.”
Debt service expenses have been reduced by $207,615 in this year’s budget, but rising costs in other areas remain a challenge.
“I did want to touch upon utilities because utilities is up significantly, and that is because we’ve doubled, basically doubled the square footage of the police department, the DPW, and the senior center,” Maresco explained.
Other financial pressures include pension obligations, healthcare costs, and environmental initiatives. The town is working toward an accelerated pension pay-down for Plymouth County through 2032 while setting aside funds for increasing healthcare expenses.
“We have a number of challenges to drive the budget all the time, and that is pension,” Maresco said. “Cost of [healthcare] is always on the rise—healthcare, it’s one of those budget busters.”
Environmental concerns, including rising tides and beach nourishment efforts, as well as debt service for the new South Shore Regional Technical High School, also factor into the town’s financial planning.
Despite these challenges, Maresco expressed confidence in the town’s ability to maintain a balanced budget.
“In closing, it is a great budget. It’s a balanced budget,” he said. “I think it’s important that people take a look at the budget so that they’re prepared for the budget debate that will take place on April 28.”
Residents can review the full budget and budget message on the Town of Marshfield’s website in preparation for the upcoming Town Meeting.
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