The Northborough Appropriations Committee convened on March 5, 2025, to discuss the town's capital assessment and budget for the upcoming fiscal year. A significant focus of the meeting was the school committee's approval of a capital assessment totaling $560,000 for five projects, with an emphasis on prioritizing roof repairs and replacements, estimated at $175,000.

The committee recommended that Northborough's portion of the capital assessment would be $107,100, reflecting a 6.02% increase over the previous fiscal year. This increase is attributed to various factors, including Chapter 70 funding and regional transportation reimbursements from the state. The operational budget for Northborough is projected to rise by 5.75%, while the non-exempt capital and debt, which includes the athletic complex and capital assessment, is expected to see a substantial increase of 24.99%.

To mitigate the impact of these increases, the school committee is proposing to utilize $675,000 from its excess and deficiency funds, which serve as retained earnings, to help lower the assessments. The committee is also in the process of developing a plan to present to the school committee regarding potential budget reductions, anticipating a decrease of approximately $125,000 in assessments due to reduced capital expenditures.

The meeting underscored the urgency of finalizing the regional budget, as Southborough's Town Meeting is scheduled for April 7, necessitating a swift approval process. The committee acknowledged the challenges posed by rising transportation costs and health insurance, noting that these factors are largely beyond the community's control.

Overall, the discussions highlighted the town's commitment to addressing critical infrastructure needs while navigating budgetary constraints and ensuring fiscal responsibility. The committee plans to provide updates and finalize the budget in the coming weeks, ahead of the upcoming town meeting.