Marlborough finance board reviews six‑year CIP, flags culverts and a truck as top priorities

The Marlborough Board of Finance met March 4 at Town Hall to review a six‑year Capital Improvement Plan and broader operating projections, Town Manager David Porter told the board.

Porter distributed the CIP summary and said the plan addresses needs at the school, senior center, municipal vehicles and facilities, the firehouse and the local food bank. He warned the board that recent property revaluation and differing mill rates for vehicles and real estate make direct tax comparisons difficult until the town finalizes mill‑rate decisions; the state cap mill rate for vehicles mentioned during the discussion was 32.46.

Why it matters: the CIP and operating projections set the town’s capital spending priorities and inform decisions that will affect the coming year’s tax rate and service levels.

Board members pressed for clearer line‑by‑line detail so they can better explain proposed changes to taxpayers and noted that personnel reassignments across departments can make increases appear disproportionate. Operational items raised for possible inclusion or review included lake weed control, microfilming in the Town Clerk’s office, contracted legal services and audit costs, Treasurer operations, Public Works vehicle maintenance, tree removal, and Fire Department physicals and equipment.

Public safety items drew separate attention: Porter said the replacement of Resident State Trooper cameras is driven by changes in equipment and software, which the board characterized as comparable to an unfunded mandate. The Fire Marshal stipend was increased in the draft to reflect inclusion of the Deputy Fire Marshal role.

Porter identified culverts and a Public Works truck as his top capital priorities and said speed camera revenue could be applied toward the truck purchase. A proposed maintenance lift for the Public Works metal building was not prioritized because department staff did not request it. Porter also noted the town’s audit from the previous year has not been completed; he said completion of that audit could free excess funds to apply to the budget.

The board reviewed other town fiscal items: civil preparedness funding was added where previously there was none, creating an Emergency Management Director line and funding for a vehicle to be shared with Hebron; Public Works salaries rose to add an employee for grounds maintenance and cross‑training as retirements approach; and the town is exploring joining a regional consortium with East Haddam, Columbia and East Hampton for animal control after the Canine Control Officer’s retirement.

Porter reported revised RHAM figures—operating of $11,208,166 and capital of $169,100—and said insurance costs remain unknown for several entities. The library was discussed as a separate 501(c)(3) that occupies a town‑owned building; Library Director Aubrey Muscaro answered questions over Zoom about a $16,000 increase in the library’s budget and confirmed the library manages its own payroll and audit while the town provides an annual grant.

No formal votes on budget items were taken at the workshop. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m. following a motion by Michael Nastri and a second from Jack Fidler.

Next steps: the board will continue budget work as audit results and finalized mill‑rate decisions become available.