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Marlborough finance committee approves $3.731 million in year‑end transfers, covers $3.177M snow‑and‑ice deficit
Summary
The finance committee approved a packet of FY2026 year‑end transfers totaling $3,731,000, including $3,177,000 from undesignated funds to cover a snow‑and‑ice deficit; committee members questioned budgeting for recurring winter costs while praising DPW response to heavy storms.
The Marlborough City Finance Committee voted on June 1 to approve year‑end transfers totaling $3,731,000, including a $3,177,000 draw from undesignated funds to cover the FY2026 snow‑and‑ice deficit.
The package was introduced in a letter read aloud from Mayor J. Christian Dumas asking the committee to approve the transfers. The letter states, “Enclosed for your review and approval are the fiscal year 2026 year‑end transfer request in the amount of $3,731,000,” including the $3,177,000 transfer from undesignated funds to fund the snow‑and‑ice deficit.
Councilor Orme expressed concern about the scale of the shortfall, noting the account was “3 million over the original budget” and urging the city to budget more accurately for winter costs in future budgets. The chair and other members defended the Department of Public Works’ response to a heavy winter season: Councilor Vidal said DPW “did a phenomenal job” clearing roads during multiple storms, and members noted that the year’s 20 events and more than 68 inches of snow drove costs higher than previous years.
Beyond the snow‑and‑ice transfer, the committee approved a set of smaller, targeted transfers: $32,000 moved from collector/assistant finance line items to cover unemployment and postage needs; $15,000 in wireless antenna receipts redirected to the open space stabilization account after staff explained a billing-tracking glitch; and a $493,000 package shifting public‑works salary savings to projected energy and maintenance costs. Those public‑works transfers included $50,000 for natural gas, $68,000 for fuel and lubricants, and $120,000 for city repairs and maintenance (the latter covered emergency work on building interlock systems), and $255,000 for additional engineering services to design intersection and street projects.
The committee also approved a $9,000 transfer to the City Clerk to fund a vendor processing annual street‑listing notices and a $5,000 transfer from an unfilled paralegal position to the legal services account.
Each motion was moved, seconded and carried on unanimous voice votes. The meeting record shows a 5‑0 tally for each voted item.
What happens next: The approved transfers will be processed administratively; department heads and city staff told the committee they would be available at future finance meetings to answer follow‑up questions about specific line items and billing processes.
