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Marlborough Board of Finance reviews budgets as mill rate edges to 28.20 mills
Summary
At a March 23 budget workshop, the Marlborough Board of Finance heard updated tax calculations and spending figures for RHAM BOE, the local BOE and town operations; an assessment appeals adjustment raised the projected mill rate from 28.15 to 28.20, lifting the overall budget increase to 4.42%.
The Marlborough Board of Finance held a budget workshop on March 23, 2026, at Town Hall as the Town Manager and the new finance director presented updated tax calculations and draft spending figures for the coming fiscal year.
Chairperson Michael Nastri opened the meeting at 6:01 p.m. The Town Manager distributed revised numbers showing RHAM Board of Education operating expenses of $11,226,646 and capital expenditures of $169,100, which reflect higher insurance costs. The local Board of Education’s draft operating budget was reported at $9,352,184 with $70,000 for capital projects. Town operations were presented at $6,652,800 with $952,000 in capital projects.
Officials said the Board of Assessment Appeals made roughly $900,000 in adjustments to the grand list. After those changes, the projected mill rate rose from 28.15 to 28.20 mills; the overall budget increase adjusted from a prior estimate of 4.22% to 4.42%.
The Town Manager and the new Finance Director reviewed sample tax impacts using three representative homes, each assumed to have two vehicles. According to that presentation, two of the sample properties would see slight increases in tax liability compared with the prior year while one sample property would see a decrease. Board members discussed preparing a voter information memorandum to help residents estimate individual tax impacts ahead of the budget vote.
Discussion also touched on the town’s undesignated fund balance, recent investment returns and the potential timing and scale of future bonding and debt service. Board members did not take final action on budget adoption at the workshop; the local Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen are scheduled to finalize their budgets next week, and the Board of Finance will conduct a final review before a public hearing.
Chairperson Michael Nastri moved to adjourn at 6:44 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Baird Welch-Collins and carried unanimously. The draft minutes were submitted by Debby Rihm, the board clerk.
