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Marlborough Board of Finance reviews school capital needs and flags revenue shortfalls
Summary
At a March 2 special budget workshop, the Board of Finance heard Marlborough Elementary officials outline a loading‑dock capital project and equipment repairs while the town manager told the board of a double‑booked Town Aid Road entry and other revenue uncertainties that could affect next year’s budget and reserve use.
The Marlborough Board of Finance on March 2 reviewed operating and capital items for Marlborough Elementary School and examined town revenue projections that raised questions about funding and mill‑rate treatment. Chairperson Michael Nastri convened the special workshop at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
Superintendent Holly Hageman attended to respond to board questions about the school budget. Hageman said there have been no changes to the budget since its initial presentation and that "a future adjustment will be required once the audit is completed to account for remaining funds." She clarified that the proposed day‑tank sensor replacement covers one unit only because "the other control has already been replaced," and described the primary capital project as rebuilding the school loading dock with an improved design and new roofing to prevent water damage. Hageman also said the insurance consortium may apply a 16.5% increase rather than the originally anticipated 15%, a shift that could require borrowing to avoid using reserve funds.
Town Manager David Porter presented a revenue analysis that flagged multiple items the board must resolve before finalizing the budget. Porter said Town Aid Road (TAR) funds were mistakenly budgeted twice in the prior year, creating about a 26% negative variance in state funding for the proposed budget. He reported the state motor vehicle mill rate is 32.46 and noted Marlborough’s motor‑vehicle mill rate has exceeded that cap since implementation; he said the revaluation could reduce the town’s mill rate and possibly bring it below the cap. Porter also said the Transfer from Other Town Funds entry currently shows $341,000 but the new finance director estimates it could reach $541,000 because of WPCA collections. Porter reported a FY24 audit surplus of $465,000 and said the FY25 audit remains incomplete. He told the board he would report back at the next meeting with the cause of an operational percentage change the board noted (from 6.46% to 4.73%).
Board members also commented on the budget packet format. Several members said they disliked the 252‑page packet with charts and preferred the prior, simpler format because the longer packet makes it difficult to find department information.
The workshop included one public comment and concluded without formal changes to the budget. Town Manager Porter is scheduled to return to the Board with follow‑up information, and the board will await the outstanding audit before making budget adjustments.
