Article 2, the town’s omnibus operating budget, was approved by a unanimous voice vote, authorizing $83,788,482 to fund municipal operations for fiscal year 2027. Advisory Committee Chair L. Peterson presented the motion, noting that the vast majority of the funding—$79,867,484—will be raised through local taxation.

The budget includes $41,280,729 for the Pembroke Public Schools and significant allocations for public safety, including $4,970,430 for the Police Department and $4,552,345 for the Fire Department. Other major expenditures include $11,136,675 for health and life insurance and $6,264,955 for debt service payments. The town also allocated $1,350,000 from free cash and $1,025,000 from the ambulance fund to balance the budget.

The Moderator reviewed the budget department by department. Residents raised no significant questions during the reading of the line items, which spanned administrative, public safety, public works, and community service accounts.

Motion: Move that the town appropriate the sum of $83,788,482 to fund the operating expenses of the town for the fiscal year 2027 as listed under appendix B of the 2026 annual town meeting warrant column headed FY2027 estimate and to fix the salaries of elected officials as listed under appendix A schedule D and to fund this appropriation raise and appropriate from taxation the sum of $79,867,484 and transfer the following sums: Capital Stabilization Fund $50,000; Ambulance Fund $1,025,000; Septic Loan Program $8,406; Council on Aging Transportation $105,000; School Athletic Fund $56,875; Recreation Revolving Clerical $50,000; School Construction Fund $70,335; Water Enterprise Indirect/Direct $572,230; Solid Waste Enterprise Indirect $64,222; Cemetery Trust Funds $15,725; Regional ACO $47,640; free cash $1,350,000; overlay $250,000.

Vote: Passed Unanimously