Boxborough Finance Committee Approves 14.46 Percent School Assessment in Split Vote

BOXBOROUGH -- February 20, 2024, Boxborough Finance Committee votes 5-3 to include 14.46 percent school assessment in FY25 budget, leaving just $120,000 under the levy limit. The committee, chaired by Maria, rejected a competing motion by member Becky to set the school assessment figure at 13 percent, a change that would have saved the town roughly $150,000 but required the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District to cut approximately $1.1 million district-wide. Regional school committee member Adam warned that any budget figure other than the assessed amount would trigger a complex town meeting process and potentially a joint town meeting with Acton. The committee also voted unanimously to make a one-year exception to its free cash policy, allowing the free cash balance to fall to a floor of 4.75 percent of the operating budget rather than the required 5 percent, drawing $703,891 from a certified free cash balance of $2,043,338. Town Administrator Mike reported that two underground DPW fuel tanks are currently uninsured and that $127,000 in uncommitted ARPA funds will be redirected toward the tank replacement and the Liberty Square culvert over Guggins Brook.