Acton finance committee presses for clearer long-term forecast after ALG out-year dispute

Members of the Town of Acton Finance Committee spent the bulk of their meeting criticizing how the town’s ALG multi‑year forecast was prepared and published, and asking the Select Board and town manager for clearer information and a longer rollout of projected figures to fiscal 2030.

David Martin, a Select Board member who spoke during public comment, told the committee that ALG’s use of the capital improvement plan and the ALG model produced misleading signals about future tax pressure. “Using free cash does not drive tax increases,” Martin said, arguing that most capital projects are funded by grants, free cash or other non‑tax sources and that the CIP lists needs, not committed spending. He also flagged an ALG out‑year “bottom line” of $12,000,000 as “wildly incorrect,” saying the model incorrectly carries a net position forward from year to year instead of treating the net position as zero each fiscal year.

The concerns prompted multiple finance committee members to press for changes to the ALG process.…