Boxborough Finance Committee Defers School Assessment Vote, Approves Six Operating Budgets

BOXBOROUGH -- February 13, 2024, Boxborough Finance Committee deadlocks on school assessment, defers vote to February 20. The committee voted unanimously to approve six operating budgets Tuesday, including executive offices at $436,008, technology at $267,503, and the town clerk's office at $140,018, but could not reach consensus on Boxborough's contribution to the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, where the proposed A budget represents a 15.59 percent assessment increase. Finance Committee Chair Becky said she was uncomfortable with anything much above 12 to 12.5 percent, which would reduce Boxborough's share by roughly $500,000 compared to the school committee's ask; member Tony argued a 14.37 percent figure amounting to a roughly 6 percent overall tax increase was "not unreasonable." Select Board Chair Kristen Hilberg, attending as a guest, said the core problem was that a 15.59 percent assessment passes without a resident override vote: "This is an override number for our residents, and they don't get a voice in this." Three residents spoke in support of full school funding, including special educator Rebecca Piersma, who warned that staffing cuts produce costlier special education referrals down the road. The committee will vote the assessment figure at its February 20 meeting.