00:00:00,000 S1: Hello, I am Bill Olson, chair of the Hamilton Select Board, at the annual town meeting on April 11th. Hamilton residents will consider a budget that addresses significant financial pressures. Central to this year's plan are two significant requests. First, a proposition two and a half operating override for school and town services, and second, a debt exclusion override to replace the high school roof. Here is a quick look at the budgets and how they relate to three warrant articles you will vote on. On the first budget article, we will vote to approve up to the levy limit, which only partially funds the proposed fiscal 2027 budget. On the next article, we will vote on a combined override for the school district and town of approximately 1.5 million. Failure of this article will result in reduced services throughout the town. The Hamilton Wenham Regional School District is seeking a 6.19% increase to just over 27.2 million, which is approximately 1.2 million over the levy limit. This overall increase is driven by 1.4 million in contractual salary obligations, a 9% increase in health care premiums, and more than 500,000 for safety and preventive maintenance on school buildings. This necessary spending on our buildings targets upkeep of aging boilers and sprinkler systems. Keep in mind, as part of the budget process, the district has already cut seven staff positions and deferred more than $150,000 in scheduled technology upgrades. The town's portion of the override is around 261,000. This is primarily driven by a 42% increase in the new trash hauling contract and rising health insurance costs. This funding allows the town to maintain required services like police staffing and DPW. Lastly, the school district is also requesting a debt exclusion override of approximately 10.3 million for the high school roof. The Massachusetts School Building Authority will cover an additional 4.2 million, or 45% of the cost. The needed work would eliminate the $40,000 spent every year on temporary leak repairs, while significantly improving the building's energy efficiency for the next 30 years. Because Hamilton is a regional district, the failure of the override in either town triggers a combined 1.6 million reduction in the school budget to meet the legally required assessment formula, which would eliminate significant programs and staffing. Your participation is vital. Please join us for the annual Town Meeting on Saturday, April 11th at the high School at 9 a.m. and at the annual town Election on Thursday, April 16th, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hamilton Wenham Recreational Center. Thank you.