The committee discussed the planned allocation of approximately $1.9 million from free cash, with $1.3 million designated for replacing fire trucks as part of the town’s broader capital plan. This allocation is set to enhance the Capital Stabilization Fund, which is projected to reach about $5.5 million. The committee emphasized the importance of this funding, noting the necessity for future allocations to address the costs of additional fire vehicles scheduled for replacement over the next two years.

Attention then shifted to the School Building Stabilization Fund, a focal point of the meeting. In preparation for the Shaker Lane School project, which will incur significant debt service expenses, the committee highlighted strategies to mitigate the financial burden on taxpayers. Members discussed the planned baseline transfer of $1 million from free cash to this fund, supported by a favorable preliminary free cash certification anticipated to be around $11.5 million. Furthermore, an additional transfer of $600,000 from free cash was proposed, following discussions with the school department about leveraging school choice funds.

The committee noted that the schools currently have a balance of approximately $3.6 million in their funds, which exceeds the desired goal of 10% of their budget, about $2.6 million. This surplus allows the school department to contribute to the Shaker Lane project by covering their own capital expenses, excluding major items like roofs and boilers, with their school choice funds. This arrangement is expected to redirect approximately $400,000 per year back into the School Building Stabilization Fund.

Further discussions revealed that any unspent school funds at the end of the fiscal year would be reallocated to the School Building Stabilization Fund the following year. The committee underscored the collective effort required to manage the Shaker Lane project costs effectively, emphasizing the importance of strategic financial planning in maintaining the town’s fiscal health.

In addition to these allocations, the committee reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan, noting that the total available for capital project funding in FY 26 is approximately $1.57 million, with $1.3 million already earmarked for school projects. The remaining funds are proposed to be transferred to the Capital Stabilization Fund to reduce the withdrawal amount for the fire truck purchase. The committee also examined the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) contributions, setting a baseline contribution at approximately $843,000 to address health benefits for retired employees, with audits scheduled every two years.

The meeting also addressed the complexities surrounding the unfunded liability in the Middlesex County Retirement system. Despite substantial extra contributions, the committee noted an increase in liabilities, highlighting a discrepancy between contributions made and the actual decrease in liabilities. Continued payments have prevented a more significant rise in these liabilities.

In other discussions, the committee evaluated the library’s budget requests, including proposals for new staff positions and increased hours for existing staff, justified by rising patron usage and program demand. A notable point was the proposed $55,100 for a teen librarian, responding to the busy environment with teens frequently visiting from local schools.

The Human Resources department’s budget was another significant topic, with a proposal to transition from a part-time administrative assistant position to a full-time Assistant Human Resources Director position. This proposal, estimated to increase the budget by approximately $76,000 to $80,000, faced cautious responses from committee members due to budget constraints, although the HR Director argued the necessity based on evolving departmental demands and legal implications of inadequate HR support.

Finally, the committee tackled the topic of aging voting machines, noting the necessity of replacing them due to obsolescence. The plan involves acquiring four new machines, with the expectation of operational readiness by the fall, pending approval from the select board and state authorization.