05/27/2026
Thank you to the Putnam community for your support in passing the new town budget. This outcome reflects what can happen when a community comes together with a shared commitment to building a stronger, safer, and brighter future for everyone.
This budget represents an investment in our children, our schools, our educators, our EMS services, our School Resource Officers, critical capital improvements, and the everyday services that keep Putnam moving forward. None of this happens without thoughtful conversations, collaboration, and people willing to work together for the greater good.
Thank you to every resident who stayed informed, asked questions, showed up, and made your voice heard. Progress takes partnership, and Putnam continues to prove the power of community. Proud to be part of a town that believes in investing in its people and its future.
FROM THE WINY RADIO NEWSROOM: PUTNAM: BUDGETS PASS: The 2026-27 Fiscal Year budget proposals passed at today’s Referendum in Putnam.
The general government budget is $10,082,949. That’s an increase of $302,946 or 3.1% over the current fiscal year. The library budget is $449,769. That’s an increase of $11,317 or 2.58% over this year. The EMS budget is $400,000, which is an increase of $44,037 or 12.37% over this year. And the Putnam Police armed safety budget of $314,439 is an increase of $15,016 or 5.01%. The question to pass these budgets passed by a vote of 232 “yes” to 103 “no.”
The education budget is $23,734,750, which is an increase of $1.6 million or 7.23%. That question passed 245 “yes” to 90 “no.”
The five-year capital improvement plan passed by a vote of 252 “yes” to 80 “no.”
A question on whether the Board of Selectmen should be authorized to apply for and receive State and Federal grants passed by a vote 305 “yes” to 29 “no.”
A question on whether the local funding budget of $1,038,000 for capital projects was approved by a vote of 246 “yes” to 87 “no.”
WINY asked Putnam Mayor Barney Seney for his reaction after all the budgets passed.
“I think it’s great. I think the people realize that the school has to have our support to help our children with their education. I’m a strong education individual. So I’m so glad that the school budget passed, but I’m even gladder that the general government budget passed with all the capital projects and everything else,” Mayor Seney said. “I think it shows that the people know that we are concerned about their taxes. We try and keep our budgets as low as possible. And I want to thank all of the boards and commissions for supporting the budgets and the citizens that did. And even the citizens that didn’t. This is what democracy is all about.”
The passing of these budgets means a 0.6 mil increase to local property tax.
