LANESBOROUGH — It took nearly three hours, but 247 voters in Lanesborough dispensed with the town’s business on Tuesday.

They approved the town’s budget of nearly $13.86 million for fiscal year 2027, representing a 10.28 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

There were virtually no unanimous votes and few slam dunks, but every article passed with a healthy majority, including those establishing rules and allowing for short-term rentals and alternate dwelling units. Banner and feather signs at businesses also got the greenlight from voters.

Voters used remote clickers to cast their ballots, meaning every vote was done silently by secret ballot.

A couple amendments were proposed and failed, including one that would have raised the amount of free cash used to lower the tax levy — from $200,000 to $300,000. The $200,000 amount prevailed.

Many articles drew debate, most pointedly $475,000 for the ambulance department, which is moving to a 24/7 model partly so that Lanesborough can write contracts with other towns to provide ambulance service.

One voter complained that the model should be self-sustaining. Others gave testimonials about the care they have received through the swift response of the ambulance service.

The Fiannce Committee, moderator and Select Board rise for the Pledge of Allegiance at the Lanesborough annual town meeting Tuesday, June 9, 2026. All warrant articles passed.

Funding for Mount Greylock Regional School District drew some criticism both for the way it was presented to the voters — as a separate warrant article — and by one parent, whose child is struggling with math at the high school level and advocated for the hiring of a math interventionist. Ultimately, the $7.58 million budget for the school district passed, an increase of 10.92 percent.

Citing costs that are “out of our control,” Finance Committee member Kristen Tool advocated for not spending on any vehicles, voicing her opposition to spending of up to $813,366 for a fire truck. Select Board member Deborah Maynard opposed spending $80,000 for a new police vehicle. Both of those warrant articles passed, along with $330,000 for a dump truck.

The town is grappling with only a partial payment in fiscal year 2026 from the Baker Hill Road District, which contracts for services for the Berkshire Mall Connector Road and for Target and the closed Berkshire Mall.

Health insurance costs have increased by 24 percent. The budget includes a 3-percent cost-of-living increase for all staff. In addition, under the proposed budget, the owner of a $364,810 home in Lanesborough would pay about $6,628 in fiscal 2027, up about 8 percent. The tax rate will rise to $18.68 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.