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Norwood selectmen recommend smaller transfer to special-education stabilization fund
Summary
The Board of Selectments voted unanimously to recommend a $300,000 appropriation to the town's special-education stabilization fund, after members debated the size of the transfer and reviewed the fund's recent history and statutory caps.
The Board of Selectments on April 15 recommended reducing the special-education stabilization fund appropriation to $300,000, instead of the larger amount requested by the School Committee and recommended by the Finance Committee. The motion to recommend $300,000 was made by Mister Plasco and seconded; the board voted unanimously in favor.
Members said they support maintaining a balance against unforeseen special-education costs but questioned whether the requested increase was necessary now. Mister Plasco noted the town established the fund in February 2021 and summarized recent activity: "In 02/2021, we appropriated 600,000 into this fund and an additional 250,022. In '23, they used a hundred and 50,000 of it, waving them with the current 700,000 balance." He said those figures suggested a lower additional amount would be adequate for now and moved to recommend $300,000.
Town officials and selectmen discussed procedural options for town meeting: leave the Finance Committee recommendation on the printed warrant and make an amendment at town meeting, or change the board's recommendation now so the board would move to amend if necessary. Mister Mazuca, the town manager, explained the typical sequence: "They make recommendations first. They lead off with the recommendations. So they'll make for $880,000 and we'll make a motion to amend to 300,000." The board clarified it would support the $300,000 figure going to town meeting.
The board also reviewed the statutory maxima and policy considerations. A member said the fund's maximum is "a million and a half" and that prudent saving must be balanced with the town's operating needs. Several selectmen expressed concern about tying up large amounts of free cash before completing a broader financial review. Others argued that having reserves for one-time special-education costs is sound policy.
Action: the motion to recommend $300,000 passed unanimously; the board indicated it will present that recommendation at town meeting and, if necessary, move to amend the Finance Committee's recommendation at town meeting.
Background: The special-education stabilization fund was created in 2021. Board members cited the fund's history and use since creation when debating the size of the additional appropriation.
