Appropriations Committee recommends most FY27 warrant articles, approves town and school budgets; several capital purchases rejected

The Appropriations Committee of the Town of Northborough met remotely on March 26, 2026, and on a series of roll-call votes recommended most operating, school and capital warrant articles while declining or passing over others.

Chair Scott Rogers opened the meeting and confirmed members Terry Halloran, George Bridal, Tim Kalen and Mona Wallace were present. Finance Director Jason Little reviewed an updated FY27 budget model and pointed to corrected figures in the packet, including an updated unused levy capacity “now showing $37,483” and a corrected free-cash figure on the presentation. “We presented a budget on Monday at the hearing,” Little said, noting the packet now reflects a select-board salary reduction and fixed math errors on the tax-impact slide.

Following procedural discussion about the draft committee report and the preferred motion process, the committee moved through the warrant by grouped topics. Terry Halloran moved the committee recommend Articles 8–11 (town operating budget and the three school assessments); the committee recorded the roll-call recommendation as unanimous. George Bridal moved and the committee recommended Articles 12–15 (water and sewer enterprise funds, solid waste enterprise, revolving funds authorization, and an appropriations reserve fund); the committee recorded its vote as reported in the meeting.

The committee recommended the school…