Finance Committee holds off on override recommendation as AB Forward narrows options and Conant closure looms
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Summary
Members urged waiting for AB Forward school recommendations before finalizing a Finance Committee view on a possible operating override; the AB Forward process has narrowed options and the school committee plans additional meetings and public comment into January.
The Finance Committee discussed its position on a possible operating override while reviewing recent AB Forward developments and an ALG forecast. Committee members said the municipal side could aim to present a budget that avoids an override, but several urged waiting for AB Forward’s final recommendations before taking a formal position.
A liaison and committee members reported that the AB Forward steering committee eliminated five of 13 options at its December 2 meeting and planned to narrow proposals to three or four choices; the school committee scheduled extended public comment on Jan. 8 and does not intend to vote on a final option until Jan. 22. Committee members said those timelines counsel caution before the Finance Committee issues a definitive recommendation on overrides.
Members discussed Conant school specifically. A member asked whether Conant would be closed by next fall; a liaison summarized school committee reporting that closing the Conant building is expected and that savings identified so far are mainly utility and maintenance reductions (the presenter referenced an $80,000 figure for utility savings), but the larger district budget gap remains and AB Forward options are expected to produce more significant structural changes.
Committee members debated whether to recommend against an operating override now for municipal budgets while leaving the school side open. Several members argued for a symmetric approach and recommended waiting for AB Forward results before taking any committee‑wide position. Others said the municipal side could be more aggressive in avoiding an override by using untaxed levy capacity and other conventional options.
No vote was taken; members agreed to postpone a final Finance Committee view on overrides until after AB Forward and further school committee analysis. Committee members encouraged residents and stakeholders to engage in the public comment opportunities the school committee has scheduled.