Marshfield officials are confronting a staggering $7.5 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, a gap that has widened by $3 million since December. During a sobering meeting on March 11, the Select Board directed the town’s financial team to prepare two distinct spending plans for Town Meeting: one featuring draconian service cuts across all departments and another supported by a general tax override. Town Administrator Peter Morin warned that without a new revenue stream, the town faces a fiscal reality that is significantly more severe than initially projected.

The board’s decision to present voters with a choice reflects a deepening frustration with state-level funding and historical local spending. Vice Chair Stephen Darcy provided a data-heavy analysis of the town’s predicament, noting that while inflation has soared, municipal spending growth in real dollars has actually been slightly negative since 2020. Under Proposition 2.5, you cannot increase property taxes by more than 2.5% plus new growth. When inflation is high, you are cutting spending in real dollars every single year, Darcy explained. Member Patricia Simpson was blunter in her assessment, attributing the shortfall to a lack of fiscal discipline in previous years. We're in this position because the previous Select Board failed us. Our leaders failed us. People were saying yes all the time with no way to pay for it, Simpson said, adding that residents have every right to figure out how they want to move forward.

Chair Eric Kelley expressed deep reservations about asking taxpayers for more money, citing a spending problem and a state government he described as an enemy to the communities regarding tax distribution. We're at a $7.5 million deficit and now we're putting the weight back on the taxpayers, many of whom have told me they can't afford any more tax increases, Kelley noted. To address these concerns, Motion Made by E. Kelley to authorize Peter and Charlie to prepare budget options for consideration of a ballot override. Motion Passed (3-0-0). Morin emphasized that any override must come with a road map and a cultural shift toward living within the town's means to prevent a recurring deficit cycle.

The town’s fiscal constraints are already impacting personnel decisions. The board opted to post a vacancy for a Select Board administrative assistant as a part-time role rather than full-time. Morin suggested that internal reassignments might cover the workload without requiring new funding. Chair Kelley pushed for clarity in the hiring process to avoid a bait and switch for applicants regarding hours. Motion Made by E. Kelley to authorize the Town Administrator to advertise the Select Board staff office position as part-time with the job responsibilities posted as well. Motion Passed (3-0-0).

In other business, the board addressed the growing problem of heavy truck traffic diverted through Marshfield due to weight limits on Duxbury’s wooden Powder Point Bridge. Chair Kelley proposed sending a formal letter to Duxbury and MassDOT urging that the bridge be rebuilt to accommodate dump trucks, shifting the burden of beach replenishment and seawall construction traffic away from Marshfield’s residential roads. Simpson noted that residents are already suffering from noise, wear and tear on the roads, and potholes caused by the heavy vehicles. While Darcy expressed skepticism that Duxbury would restart their permitting process for a sturdier, more expensive bridge, the board reached a consensus to formally register their concerns.

The search for a permanent Town Administrator reached a milestone with the appointment of five residents to a search committee. Morin announced that after interviewing 14 applicants, the committee will consist of former Town Accountant Christine McCarthy, Doug Russell, Sheriff Speda, Dennis Keller, and Joe Ren. The group is scheduled to hold its first meeting next week to begin reviewing candidates for the executive role.

Council on Aging Director Carol Hamilton secured two approvals to support the Senior Center. The board first agreed to raise the spending cap for the Seaflower Cafe’s revolving fund to $100,000 to accommodate a $10,000 venting system and operational costs. We just need more money to operate because we can't pay our bills if we can't spend beyond the $60,000, Hamilton told the board. Motion Made by E. Kelley to increase the FY2026 and FY2027 spending limit for the Council on Aging Seaflower Cafe revolving fund to $100,000. Motion Passed (3-0-0). Additionally, the board supported a construction project to create private office space for dementia specialists. Motion Made by E. Kelley to waive the building permit fees associated with adding a small wall in the office area at the Council on Aging. Motion Passed (3-0-0).

The board also processed several community requests, including a fee waiver for the Friends of Marshfield Dog Park, who are installing two 12x16 shade structures and an ADA-compliant walkway. Motion Made by E. Kelley to waive the permit application fee for Friends of Marshfield Dog Park to construct shade shelters inside the Marshfield Dog Park. Motion Passed (3-0-0). During a scheduled public hearing, the board welcomed Lawrence Baxa as the new manager for Roach Brothers Supermarkets. Baxa, who previously worked in Marshfield for three years, confirmed he is TIPS certified and ready to return to the role. Motion Made by E. Kelley to approve the application for a change of manager from John Elliot to Lawrence Baxa. Motion Passed (3-0-0).

Finally, the board sanctioned several upcoming events, including the ALS Plunge for Hope at Rexhame Beach on March 28. Chair Kelley noted the event has raised over $800,000 since 2019. Motion Made by E. Kelley to approve the use of Rexhame Beach parking lot for the ALS Plunge for Hope on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Motion Passed (3-0-0). The board also approved field trips for Wellesley Public Schools students in May and June, with Vice Chair Darcy joking, I ran for the Select Board because I live to deny field trips for schools, before voting in favor. Motion Passed (3-0-0).