Town Meeting Warrant — Mendon Override

Looking for the override vote? The FY27 budget appropriation — which includes the $1,100,000 Prop 2½ override — is Article 4 below. The override question then goes to voters on the Town Election ballot on May 19. Vote Info has polling hours and registration deadlines.

Articles 1–3

Annual housekeeping

These three articles appear on every Annual Town Meeting warrant. They establish rules for the meeting and handle standard actions required each year.

Out-of-order motion rule

Sets a procedural guardrail for the meeting: any floor motion to spend more than the Finance Committee recommends must identify where the extra money comes from — either free cash (the town's savings account) or an equal cut elsewhere. Prevents unbudgeted spending from being added without a funding plan.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote that any motion or amendment to increase any monetary articles or line items as proposed by the Finance Committee, presented at this Town Meeting Shall be OUT OF ORDER unless such motion, or amendment, states the source of funding as being from available free cash, or the line item or article that will be reduced by the same amount; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Pay prior-year bills

Pays any legitimate bills from a prior fiscal year that arrived or were approved after that year's books closed. Standard annual housekeeping required by Massachusetts law.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer a sum of money from available funds to pay Bills of a Prior Year; or act or do anything in relation thereto. previous articles.

Set salaries of elected officials

Formally establishes annual compensation for elected town officials. Required each year.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote fix the salaries and compensations of the elected officials of the Town; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Article 4

The FY27 budget vote

This is the most consequential vote of Town Meeting. Article 4 appropriates all town and school spending for Fiscal Year 2027. The Prop 2½ override request and the $564,403 stabilization draw are both part of the funding plan for this article.

FY27 town and school appropriations — the main budget vote

This single article sets the entire FY27 operating budget. It will be voted on in three motions: Motion A funds the base budget; Motion B uses a $564,403 draw from Stabilization (requires 2/3 vote); and Motion C adds the $1,100,000 Prop 2½ override. If Town Meeting passes Article 4 but voters reject the override at the May 19 Town Election, the budget would need to be revised downward to reflect the lower levy limit. The full FY27 budget document is linked below.

Supporting document ↗

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to determine what sums of money the Town will raise and appropriate and/or transfer from available funds to defray charges and expenses of the Town including debt and interest and to provide for a reserve fund for the ensuing fiscal year; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Articles 7–13, 31

Finance & operations

Funding for specific programs, enterprise funds, and accounts that run alongside the main budget. These articles handle a snow-and-ice deficit, assessment programs, water and trash operations, revolving fund limits, and a compensation shortfall.

Fund FY26 snow and ice removal deficit

Massachusetts law uniquely allows towns to run a deficit on snow and ice removal — the only budget line where that is permitted. This article covers whatever Mendon overspent on snow and ice in FY2026.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the Fiscal 2026 snow and ice removal deficit.

Assessor's Cyclical Inspection Program — $18,000

Funds the state-required program in which assessors physically inspect every property in town on a rotating cycle to keep valuations accurate. Accurate assessments ensure the property tax burden is distributed fairly across all owners.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer from available sources the sum of $18,000 to fund the Fiscal 2027 portion of the Assessor's Cyclical Inspection Program; or take any other action relative thereto.

Update Valuation Account — $25,000

Funds the ongoing program keeping property valuations current with real estate market conditions. Regular updates affect how each property owner's share of the total tax levy is calculated.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer from available funds the sum of $25,000 to fund the Fiscal 2027 portion of the Update Valuation Account; or take any other action relative thereto.

Water enterprise fund

Appropriates funds to run the town's water system in FY27. Enterprise funds are self-supporting — water users pay rates that cover the full cost, separate from the general property tax levy.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer from available funds a sum of money to operate the water enterprise fund; or take any other action relative thereto.

Curbside trash and recycling — convert to enterprise fund

Converts curbside trash and recycling collection to an enterprise fund model starting FY27. Subscribers pay directly for the service rather than funding it through the general property tax levy, separating trash costs from the town budget.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer from available funds a sum of money to operate the municipal subscriber curbside trash and recycling services as an enterprise fund, effective Fiscal 2027; or take any other action relative thereto.

Set revolving fund spending limits

Sets the maximum each department can spend from its revolving fund in FY27. Revolving funds are self-funded by fees and receipts — not taxes — and cycle back to support the programs that generated them. FY27 limits: Library $6,000 · Planning Board $30,000 · Highway $25,000 · Conservation Commission $25,000 · Parks $270,000 · Fire Department $10,000 · Board of Health / Title V $25,000 · Police Department $15,000.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to set the limits on the Revolving Funds in accordance with M.G.L.Ch. 44 Sec. 53 E1/2; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Fund FY26 Conservation Agent compensation

Covers a portion of the Conservation Agent's FY2026 salary that was not fully funded in that budget year.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund a portion of the Fiscal 2026 Conservation Agent's compensation; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Article 10

Property tax relief

Renews a means-tested property tax exemption program for qualifying senior residents. Eligibility is based on income and asset thresholds.

Reauthorize Senior Means-Tested Tax Exemption — 3 more years

Renews the income and asset-tested property tax exemption for qualifying senior residents for another three years under Chapter 241 of the Acts of 2022. Residents who meet the eligibility thresholds receive a reduction in their annual property tax bill. For details on who qualifies and how to apply, see the Assessors' Tax Exemptions page.

Supporting document ↗

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to reauthorize the Senior Means Tested Exemption (Chapter 241 of the Acts of 2022) for an additional three (3) years.

Articles 5, 6, 14–16

Infrastructure & capital projects

State highway funding, blanket easement authority, and the Providence Street culvert replacement — including a citizens' petition tied to that project.

Accept Chapter 90 state highway funds

Authorizes the Town to accept and spend its annual Chapter 90 highway allocation from the state, used for road maintenance and improvements. Also authorizes the Select Board to sign the required contracts with MassDOT. Chapter 90 is formula-based state aid that costs Mendon taxpayers nothing directly.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate funds provided to the Town by the Commonwealth pursuant to so-called Chapter 90 type money and such other funds as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (including its Highway Division) may provide, and to authorize the Select Board to enter into contracts with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (including its Highway Division) for so-called Chapter 90 type money and such other funds allocated to the Town; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Authorize FY27 easement acquisition and relocation

Gives the Select Board standing authority for FY27 to accept or relocate easements for roads, sidewalks, drainage, and utilities — as long as acquisitions cost the Town nothing. Required for routine infrastructure work without returning to Town Meeting for each individual easement.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board, during Fiscal 2027, to acquire on behalf of the Town any and all easements for any of the following purposes: roads, sidewalks, vehicular and/or pedestrian access or passage, drainage and utilities, provided however that such authorization pertains only to easements acquired at no cost to the Town; and, further, to authorize the Select Board, subsequent to a public hearing, during Fiscal 2027 to abandon or relocate easements acquired for any of the foregoing purposes; or otherwise act thereon.

Providence Street culvert — appropriate from Capital Project Stabilization

Transfers $566,379 from the Capital Project Stabilization fund to design and construct a replacement culvert on Providence Street. This utilizes existing funds to minimize borrowing for the projected $2,050,000 project. Articles 14, 15, and 16 relate to this project.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and/or transfer from Capital Project Stabilization a sum of money to design and construct a replacement culvert on Providence Street.

Providence Street culvert — bond authorization

Authorizes borrowing up to $2,050,000 to supplement the direct appropriation in Article 14 for the Providence Street culvert. The Town is pursuing state grants to reduce this borrowing amount. Requires a two-thirds vote.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money by borrowing to design and construct a replacement culvert on Providence Street and to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, to issue any bonds or notes that may be necessary for that purpose, and to apply the premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes thereunder, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, to pay project costs and reduce the amount authorized to be borrowed by the same amount of the premium so applied.

Two-way traffic on Cemetery Street during Providence Street closures

Filed by residents, not a town board. Requires the Town to allow two-way traffic on Cemetery Street whenever Providence Street is closed for culvert-related work. Adds a funding condition: the Town may not spend any money on the culvert project during a road closure unless two-way Cemetery Street traffic is in place. Note: Town Counsel has opined that this article exceeds Town Meeting's legal authority because traffic regulation is under the jurisdiction of the Select Board. It is anticipated the Moderator may rule it out of order.

Supporting document ↗

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to allow two-way motor vehicle traffic on Cemetery Street during the periods when any portion of Providence Street between its intersection with Hartford Avenue East and its intersection with the southerly end of Cemetery Street is closed to motor vehicle traffic, and further to provide that no municipal funds may be expended or encumbered for culvert repair, culvert replacement, or other maintenance of said portion of Providence Street resulting in road closures unless two-way motor vehicle traffic is allowed on Cemetery Street for the duration of such closure; or take any other action relating thereto.

Articles 17–27

Community Preservation Act

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a state-local partnership: a small surcharge on property tax bills generates local funds, and the state provides a partial match. Funds must be spent on open space, historic preservation, affordable housing, or recreation — each use requires a Town Meeting vote. Articles 17–27 handle FY27 allocations and transfers.

Allocate FY27 CPA revenues

The required annual vote distributing incoming CPA funds across the four eligible categories. This is a set-aside for future spending — specific projects require additional articles, like those below.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will set aside for later spending from the Fiscal 2027 Community Preservation Act Revenues (10%) for open space; (10%) for historic preservation; (10%) for Affordable Housing, (65%) Budgeted Reserve and (5%) for administration; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

CPA — MURSD school district debt (from ATM 5/2/25, Vote 24)

Transfers CPA funds to cover the MURSD school district debt payment that was authorized at the May 2025 Annual Town Meeting.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will transfer a sum of money from the Community Preservation Act Accounts to fund the Annual Town Meeting 5/2/25 Vote #24 (Mendon-Upton Regional School District Debt); or act or do anything in relation thereto.

CPA — Affordable Housing Coordinator (FY27, part-time)

Uses CPA affordable housing funds to pay for a part-time Affordable Housing Coordinator in FY27. State law permits CPA funds to cover affordable housing program staff costs.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will transfer a sum of money from the Community Preservation Act Accounts to fund the Fiscal 2027 part-time Affordable Housing Coordinator Position; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

CPA — Police Station Debt Exclusion (FY27)

Uses CPA funds to offset the FY27 annual debt payment for the Police Station, which was financed as a debt exclusion — a borrowing outside the normal Prop 2½ levy limit.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will transfer a sum of money from the Community Preservation Act Accounts to fund the Fiscal 2027 Police Station Debt Exclusion, or act or do anything in relation thereto.

CPA — Oak and Wall Farm Preserve Stewardship Account

Moves approximately $120,819 in unspent funds from the 2024 Denton Property account into a new stewardship account dedicated to ongoing maintenance and management of Oak and Wall Farm Preserve.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will transfer a sum of money from the Denton Property Expenses Account, Annual Town Meeting 5/3/24 Article 29, to a new Oak and Wall Farm Preserve Stewardship Account; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

CPA — 73 & 75 Providence Street house maintenance

Moves approximately $25,400 from the 2023 Paddock Purchase account into a new account covering maintenance of structures and open space stewardship at the 73 & 75 Providence Street properties.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will transfer a sum of money from the Paddock Purchase Account, Annual Town Meeting 5/5/23 Article 29, to a new account 73 & 75 Providence Street Account for house maintenance and open space stewardship; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

CPA — 75 Providence Street affordable housing account

Transfers up to $500,000 in CPA funds from a prior 52 Providence Street account into a new 75 Providence Street Property Account designated to subsidize affordable housing development (2-5 units).

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will transfer a sum of money from the Annual Town Meeting 5/4/24 Article 28 - 52 Providence Street Account to a new account, 75 Providence Street Property Account, for affordable housing purposes; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

CPA — Sunrise Apartments water tank

Uses $60,000 in CPA affordable housing funds to help replace a failing $183,000 water tank system at Sunrise Apartments, which provides 30 units of elderly and disabled housing in Mendon.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will transfer a sum of money from the Community Preservation Act Accounts to partially fund a new water tank for Sunrise Apartments affordable units; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

CPA — Restore two historic signs

Uses $10,000 in CPA historic preservation funds to restore a Founder's Park sign and a road sign, both circa 1930.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will transfer a sum of money from the Community Preservation Act Accounts to fund the restoration of two historic signs; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

CPA — Historic weights, measures, and display cases

Uses $10,000 in CPA historic preservation funds to return historic 1800s weights and measures from the museum to Town Hall and purchase display cases so they can be publicly exhibited.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will transfer a sum of money from the Community Preservation Act Accounts to fund moving of historic weights and measures from the museum back to the town hall and the purchase of display cases and materials to exhibit them; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

CPA — Mendon Historical Society document restoration

Uses $10,000 in CPA historic preservation funds to support the Mendon Historical Society's work preserving and restoring historic 18th and 19th-century town records and documents.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will transfer a sum of money from the Community Preservation Act Accounts to fund the Mendon Historical Society for the restoration of historic Mendon documents; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Articles 28–30, 32–34

Land use & by-law changes

Land use planning, a land bank account transfer, electronic codification of by-laws, and three amendments to the General By-laws. Full text for each by-law amendment is on file with the Town Clerk and posted at mendonma.gov.

Approve Five Year Land Use Program 2026

Adopts the town's Five Year Land Use Program setting goals and priorities for how Mendon's land is managed and developed through 2031. Required to keep the town's comprehensive planning current.

Supporting document ↗

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will approve the Mendon Five Year Land Use Program, copies of which are available in the Town Clerk's office and at the town website; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Return 17 Pleasant Street funds to Land Bank

Returns unspent funds from the 81X Boundary Plan project at 17 Pleasant Street — authorized at the November 2025 Special Town Meeting — back into the Mendon Land Bank Account for future conservation use.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will transfer a sum of money from the 81X Boundary Plan for 17 Pleasant Street Account, Special Town Meeting 11/12/25, Article 31, back into the Mendon Land Bank Account; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Fund electronic codification of by-laws

Funds a multi-year project to digitize and professionally codify the Town's General and Zoning By-laws into a searchable electronic format, making them easier for residents, boards, and staff to find and reference.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the implementation and multi-year operation of electronic codification of General and Zoning By-laws; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Add Town Administrator By-law — new Chapter XXXV

Formally codifies the role, duties, and authority of the Town Administrator in the General By-laws by adding a new chapter. The full proposed text is on file with the Town Clerk and posted online.

Supporting document ↗

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Mendon General By-laws by adding a new Chapter XXXV "Town Administrator By-law", a copy of which is on file with the Town Clerk and on the Town website; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Amend Land Use Planning By-law — Chapter XV

Updates Chapter XV of the General By-laws governing land use planning in Mendon. The full redlined text of the changes is on file with the Town Clerk and at mendonma.gov.

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will amend Chapter XV - Land Use Planning, of the Mendon General By-laws, a copy of which is on file with the Town Clerk and on the Town website; or act or do anything in relation thereto.

Amend Council on Aging By-law — Chapter XI, Section 8

Amends the Council on Aging section of the General By-laws. The full proposed text of the changes is on file with the Town Clerk and at the town website.

Supporting document ↗

Official warrant language

To see if the Town will amend Chapter XI Section 8 – Council on Aging, of the Mendon General By-laws, a copy of which is on file with the Town Clerk and on the Town website; or act or do anything in relation thereto.