Stoughton’s financial blueprint for the upcoming fiscal year is heading to Town Meeting with a recommendation for approval after the Finance Committee finalized a balanced $150,783,168.72 omnibus budget on Thursday night. The final deliberations were marked by a significant reduction in the school department’s requested funding and a strategic move to double the town’s special education reserves to $1 million to shield against volatile out-of-district placement costs.

The committee settled on a school department appropriation of $69,245,872, a figure that sits nearly $3.8 million below the School Committee’s original $73 million request. Chair Carolyn Campbell clarified that despite the higher figures previously discussed by school officials, the committee’s vote effectively sets the limit for the warrant. The only budget Town Meeting deals with is the Finance Committee budget, Campbell said. It won't matter what was originally submitted; once we vote, it becomes the Finance Committee budget. Motion Made by B. Markson to approve the Stoughton Public School budget line item for FY27 at $69,245,872. Motion Passed (9-0-1). Member Johna Rosenblatt, noting the gap between the town and school figures, inquired about the timeline for filing a minority report, which Campbell requested be submitted by the following Saturday.

To provide a safety net for the school district, the committee dramatically increased the proposed deposit into the Special Education Stabilization Fund. While the town originally planned a $500,000 contribution, the committee voted to recommend $1,000,000. Campbell explained that unpredictable out-of-district costs are a primary driver of school budget strain. We want a reserve so they don't have to come back for a special town meeting if a single placement costs $400,000, she noted.

The municipal side of the budget saw several adjustments due to personnel shifts and updated insurance quotes. Town Manager Thomas J. Calter informed the committee that the Information Systems budget would be reduced by roughly $104,000 following the departure of the town’s IT Director. Trish, the IT Director, is leaving to become the Assistant Town Manager in Bridgewater, Calter said, adding that the vacancy would likely remain until mid-year. The municipal and school sides can work much closer together to find opportunities to do more with less. Motion Made by J. Wolk to approve Information Systems budget of $532,026.64. Motion Passed (10-0-0).

The committee also contended with rising regional education costs. Assistant Superintendent Heidi Perkins noted that the assessment for Southeastern Regional increased by over $100,000. We need to increase this line by $100,443 for a total of $1,666,335, Perkins said. Motion Made by J. Wolk to increase the Southeastern Regional line item to $1,666,335. Motion Passed (10-0-0). The total combined education budget, including Norfolk County Agricultural assessments, was set at $71,003,450. Motion Made by B. Markson to approve the total Education budget of $71,003,450. Motion Passed (10-0-0).

During the review of departmental line items, Member Arnie Feinberg raised questions regarding the math in the Animal Control budget, noting a discrepancy between the percentage changes listed for individual lines and the overall total. On Page 36, the percent change shows 4.76%, but the lines above are only 2.5% or 3%. Perkins explained that new budget lines without historical data often skew total percentage calculations. Feinberg also scrutinized the town's debt service, which will reach $10,136,174 next year in combined principal and interest payments. Does the $10 million figure mean we retired debt or it's a negative number? Feinberg asked, with Campbell confirming it represents the total annual bill for the town’s borrowing.

While most departments remained stable, the committee found savings in townwide insurance after quotes came in lower than anticipated. Motion Made by B. Markson to approve the townwide insurance budget of $1,748,382.95. Motion Passed (10-0-0). Conversely, the snow removal budget was reduced from previous years to $400,000. Motion Made by J. Wolk to reduce the snow removal budget to $400,000. Motion Passed (9-0-1), with Member Dawn Dino recusing herself from the vote.

The committee also moved to bolster several stabilization accounts using free cash. Member Joel Wolk tracked the growth of the Fire Apparatus account, which is slated for a $1.15 million deposit. According to my math, the Fire Apparatus account will have $2,416,291 after this, which should pay for the fire truck, Wolk said. Motion Made by B. Markson to approve Article 9 ($1.15M Fire Apparatus). Motion Passed (10-0-0). Other approvals included $500,000 for General Stabilization, $600,000 for Building Stabilization, and $500,000 for Capital Equipment. Motion Made by B. Markson to approve Article 10 ($500k Capital Equipment). Motion Passed (10-0-0).

Other departmental approvals proceeded with broad support, including $8,480,747 for the Police Department and $2,759,986 for DPW Highway. Motion Made by J. Wolk to approve Police Department budget of $8,480,747.24. Motion Passed (10-0-0). Member Marty West and Member Lauren Morris provided seconds for facilities and election budgets, respectively, while Member Joel Wolk recused himself from the Town Clerk’s budget vote. Motion Made by B. Markson to approve the Elections budget. Motion Passed (9-0-1).

In a final move to close the books on the FY27 recommendations, the committee voted on the remaining omnibus appropriation. Motion Made by J. Wolk to approve the remaining budget appropriation of $147,547,181.48. Motion Passed (9-1-0). Member Arnie Feinberg cast the lone dissenting vote against the final budget motion. Vice Chair Becca Markson suggested that due to some member absences, the committee should handle future reorganization and minute approvals via correspondence to ensure full participation.