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Marlborough Board of Finance cuts $110,000 from capital, lowers mill rate to 27.71
Summary
At its April 20 meeting the Marlborough Board of Finance voted 3–2 to cut $110,000 from capital expenditures, move funds from the undesignated balance and set a new mill rate of 27.71; members also reinstated $100,000 to the undesignated fund and approved several minutes.
Marlborough’s Board of Finance voted 3–2 on April 20 to reduce the town’s capital expenditures by $110,000, a change the board said would lower the mill rate to 27.71.
The motion to reduce capital spending was made by Ken Hjulstrom and seconded by Baird Welch-Collins. The board recorded votes “For” from Hjulstrom, Welch-Collins and Will Guzman, and “Against” from Chairperson Michael Nastri and Jack Fidler; the motion passed 3–2. Board materials and discussion showed the $110,000 would come from the undesignated fund balance rather than from buying a new truck.
Earlier in the meeting, Jack Fidler moved, and Welch-Collins seconded, to reinstate $100,000 from the unassigned fund balance, raising that balance to $465,000; the motion carried unanimously. Board members said preserving a stronger undesignated balance supports bonding capacity and helps smooth future budget years when anticipated state vehicle reimbursement ($405,000) and an extra RHAM surplus may not recur.
During public comment, resident Cliff Denniss contrasted the current undesignated balance with past practice, saying, “When I was on the BOF, our undesignated fund balance was 7%,” and he urged a range of “18–20% to get the best rating for bonding.” The board noted Moody’s guidance places reserves near 15% for a strong rating and discussed first-time costs associated with bonding.
Board members also discussed audit results and ballot timing. Mr. Porter told members the FY25 audit may show a $110,000 surplus and that he expects a smaller surplus for FY26; the Town Clerk said ballot numbers are needed immediately because the town was behind on printing.
The board approved several sets of minutes with minor corrections: March 16, March 23, March 30, and April 17 (the April 17 minutes were approved with Chair Nastri and Mr. Hjulstrom abstaining). The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.; minutes were submitted by Debby Rihm, Board Clerk.
Votes at a glance: • Motion to reinstate $100,000 from unassigned fund balance: mover Jack Fidler; second Baird Welch-Collins; outcome: passed, unanimous. • Motion to reduce capital expenditures by $110,000: mover Ken Hjulstrom; second Baird Welch-Collins; outcome: passed 3–2 (For: Hjulstrom, Welch-Collins, Guzman; Against: Nastri, Fidler). • Approval of minutes (multiple dates): outcomes recorded as approved; April 17 minutes: two abstentions (Nastri, Hjulstrom).
