[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6117524,"mediaKeyId","2730049-3972afee71bde4745c18f0b2a149f00a","parentId",2730049,"title","Blue Hills preliminary FY26 budget seeks $27.72 million; Norwood assessment declines with lower enrollment","audioSeconds",1446,"startMs",3744000,"endMs",5190000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730049-3972afee71bde4745c18f0b2a149f00a&start=3744&end=5190","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730049-3972afee71bde4745c18f0b2a149f00a/thumbnail_3744000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117524/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Blue-Hills-preliminary-FY26-budget-seeks-2772-million-Norwood-assessment-declines-with-lower-enrollment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117524-4e57159058e9866ae78dab8d67ea07f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443094&Signature=fq~qUNrv7U7PtGRX2B2of~SBi~cTHKKo-pQ8bw-~DNUPAi6joSNKHyvJDAv4HuM0ZsPHzBaNaxZHAD4~OATwhyAQ61dBaaaiIQ47d8acL-K5e6y4-7xJNY8IjvdEyxCFN1ext7CQ~z7gTwrL2GNBrFTM9-vKv30y5s2pXL2pQRBzYg-bqFZ8gdtzjkoWI5t7nCh6bD5b21gZ~6uY7rYMR0nl1iEl4ViE2vU-BM~216Evkp9rc-qBcafZKQ0Q6tZZRs5MtdI8iEZ1yujKU6YpTYiFFCjtadAarflVNa0OIzErq0wWODPxcAr9E7e2H4Y8Rh0EZofw033hRQOuzXmrew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Norwood, MA","date","2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","article","Officials from Blue Hills Regional Vocational School presented their preliminary FY26 operating budget to the Finance Commission on March 20 and described the district’s funding posture, enrollment trends and assessment calculations.

The presentation and numbers

Blue Hills presented a preliminary FY26 budget of $27,719,605, representing a 1.28% increase from the prior year. The district reported it expects a 2.2% increase in Chapter 78 state aid in preliminary governor’s figures and is using a 1.93% inflation assumption in its planning. The district said it will contribute approximately $686,000 of excess and deficiency (E&D) funds and special revenues to lower individual town assessments.

Norwood‑specific impacts

Blue Hills staff told commissioners that Norwood’s foundation enrollment count for the district is 94 students for FY26, a decline of 14 students from the prior year. That enrollment change reduced Norwood’s required local contribution by about $189,207; presenters reported the Norwood assessment for FY26 at approximately $1,400,072.93 (district assessment includes the required contribution plus the operating assessment and debt service related to renovation projects).

Program and budget drivers described

Presenters (district superintendent and business manager) said the budget pressure comes primarily from contractual salary obligations (the district is in year two of multi‑year contracts), health‑insurance increases through the GIC, transportation contract increases and recurring program needs (athletics, transportation, instructional materials for shop programs). The district also cited capital transfers to an OPEB trust (the district established an OPEB trust in late 2024) and capital stabilization transfers as budget items.

Enrollment and capacity

Blue Hills reported a total district enrollment of about 910 students for FY26, a decrease of 18 students overall. Presenters said the district typically sees waitlists (they cited an applicant pool of roughly 500 candidates for approximately 248 available seats) and annual fluctuation in member‑town counts is normal and can move assessments year to year.

Ending

No formal vote on the regional assessment occurs at the town level during this meeting. Blue Hills staff asked member towns to review the preliminary figures and noted final state aid and Chapter 78 calculations — and thus final assessments — will be set once the legislature completes action and the district’s final budget is approved in June.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Norwood: Finance Commission 3.20.25","oneSentenceSummary","Regional vocational school officials presented a preliminary FY26 budget of $27,719,605 (1.28% increase) and said the district will use E&D and special revenues to lower member‑town assessments; Norwood’s enrollment decline cut its required local contribution by about $189,207.","taxTitle","Town of Norwood, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",52806,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117530,"Finance Commission schedules FY26 operating vote for next week; discusses free‑cash uses, capital and pension reserve options",150,2682000,2832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730049-3972afee71bde4745c18f0b2a149f00a&start=2682&end=2832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730049-3972afee71bde4745c18f0b2a149f00a/thumbnail_2682000.jpg","/articles/6117530/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Finance-Commission-schedules-FY26-operating-vote-for-next-week-discusses-freecash-uses-capital-and-pension-reserve-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117530-3c457a45d42b55472e165a2506f5af33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443094&Signature=cm7wI~LTZt5Wc8bIOMApwJvpJZ2vip2ezQ7qxaK6mXjq0q4hWszq48rHeVmpkpE4ZKsiIB5btx5rymNN9u1TorZG2TTRo9hnzn5v2~Zicui4CTnWVjHu0CzPUxs9RNaM44o-TKnf5UsfJT-wzdVL-Hdr1sqJOoIMdQW8AKqeBL81JGbg2hokhHJ-mFjaZgdZlMjhCsvsG9s9qASA0rTf7ENzWY9003cY1bHL9EY7rnL7DLhYWjgBXcC87hLiutiUlVTx3QHXnkecAlcnkcc8P46kgjinSx1E2~4tViEUnRowfwET4w5EgGFePL9GSuXmBIadGrM2-2~3ocp0u-ZA3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance Commission met March 20 and agreed to bring the full FY26 operating budget to a vote at its next meeting after staff said updated numbers and funding‑source information would be available. Commissioners discussed a range of possible uses for free cash and debated creating dedicated reserve accounts for capital and pensions while keeping the town’s general stabilization policy floor intact.

Why it matters: The commission’s choices on free cash allocations and reserve policy will affect how the town pays for near‑term capital needs (roofs, HVAC, Town Hall systems) and how much operating support is available without raising taxes or proposing debt measures to voters.

What the commission discussed

- Vote scheduling: Commissioners agreed to consider the full FY26 operating budget at a meeting one week after March 20, and to finalize presentation material and budget books at the April 10 meeting. Staff said updated revenue and encumbrance figures would be ready within a week.

- Free cash and capital: Commission members said they favor using free cash for infrastructure rather than recurring operating costs where possible. Several members expressed support for seeding or increasing a capital reserve to fund studies and early repairs (examples given: HVAC study and roof work described by facilities staff).

- Pension reserve and OPEB: Commissioners discussed establishing a pension reserve fund to hold one‑time free cash until the finance team determines favorable market conditions for investing or to offset future pension costs. The town’s recently created OPEB trust (established late 2024 by the regional district noted in a separate presentation) was referenced as a similar mechanism for long‑term obligations.

- General stabilization and timing: Commissioners noted that the town’s general stabilization fund currently exceeds the policy floor and that some reserve decisions could be postponed to the fall to preserve flexibility. Several items (special education reserve, compensated absences) were discussed as candidates for phased funding later in the year.

Votes at a glance (formal votes recorded March 20)

- Approval of minutes from March 18: Motion to approve moved by Alan Slater and seconded by Eric; chair called the question and a voice vote was recorded as in the affirmative.

- Motion to adjourn: Motion to adjourn moved by Sarah Sullivan, seconded by Eric; voice vote was unanimous.

Ending

The commission agreed to revisit capital reserve and pension reserve proposals later this year if needed and asked staff to provide updated encumbrance figures and a clearer estimate of incremental costs related to the new Coakley building and natural‑gas price exposure before next week’s FY26 operating budget vote.","Norwood’s Finance Commission set a timetable to vote on the FY26 operating budget at its next meeting and debated using free cash for capital priorities, a pension reserve, and other stabilization funds; commissioners deferred some reserve decisions to the fall.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117534,"Facilities department warns of rising energy and roof costs, asks commissioners to fund HVAC study and staffing",347,104000,451000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730049-3972afee71bde4745c18f0b2a149f00a&start=104&end=451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730049-3972afee71bde4745c18f0b2a149f00a/thumbnail_104000.jpg","/articles/6117534/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Facilities-department-warns-of-rising-energy-and-roof-costs-asks-commissioners-to-fund-HVAC-study-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117534-337c43922c70029726109cad994abf0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443094&Signature=aVCafEM1YjLAhlz-YLlKXSNLwkS9R1-Yvo95vEz~i1HqDC0E4GTaS~E0RXk0c0tKQhI2ELp~UH5fMvYC2IOpW2MENidhaqQ3Kghq8zXQwc6CjpNcQ166us-Noei8msDz5olE-OZvg9k6haqhjUztdlFuXSI4mfpiY5l49zaoOKHXvfv96ZlPHiQkfKdgCBaaLLcP8y9GJs41iTrSTfKyYciXvV59t7fe4~T2lIzC0t0gD7acj2Q-AHjA5BBl7UyzXDBMHGsYYJq7qfL-MVRUQfo6DaWFXYoIRpyCAKeWZXoyrToSQOu-2g1mXm9ghjQYZSJxcZhYcca-vdNuMC0osg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Facilities department leaders told the Finance Commission on March 20 that the town’s building portfolio faces mounting maintenance costs driven by higher natural‑gas delivery charges, aging roofs at several schools and new equipment at the district’s largest upcoming project.

The department said it now operates as a townwide facilities group after a five‑year transition from a buildings‑and‑grounds structure centered on the schools. Staff described a department of roughly 52.5 full‑time equivalent positions made up primarily of custodians, eight maintenance tradespeople (including an electrician, plumber and carpenter) and unlicensed craftspeople who support them. The department reported that about 80–82% of incoming work orders are for schools and roughly 18–20% are for other town buildings.

Why it matters: Facilities leaders told the commission that several buildings are near the end of their useful life for major systems and envelopes, and that unpredictable failures — a hot‑water tank and steam‑system parts cited in recent months — are creating large, unplanned bills. The commission is evaluating whether to fund a districtwide HVAC study and set aside capital for roof replacement, building envelope repairs and other deferred maintenance.

Key details and requests

- New school size and staffing: staff said the new Coakley building will be about 88,000 square feet (the existing building is about 27,000 square feet). To staff it they plan to add two custodians (from existing funds) and one half‑time position to be paid partly by food services. The department expects additional ongoing maintenance and preventive‑maintenance needs for the building’s modern heat‑pump and rooftop‑unit systems.

- HVAC mechanic: facilities staff recommended hiring a part‑time or three‑day‑a‑week HVAC mechanic so the town can perform more work in‑house and limit outside contractor costs; they said many electrical, plumbing and general repairs are already handled internally and that adding an HVAC mechanic would reduce recurring contractor spending.

- Roofs and asbestos testing: several school roofs were reported as more than 25 years old and requiring near‑term replacement. Staff gave per‑square‑foot ballparks of $40–$50/ft for roof work and estimated multi‑million‑dollar replacement costs for large school roofs (examples given: roughly $2.0 million and $2.3 million for two school roof projects), noting that asbestos and prior layered installations in older roofs can increase removal and replacement costs.

- Recent unplanned costs: staff described recent failures that required large emergency purchases and crane/rigging work — an ~800‑gallon hot‑water storage tank replacement at the high school (tank cost and installation cited in the tens of thousands) and a steam‑system component replacement at Town Hall with an estimated total project cost in the tens of thousands.

- Natural gas: department staff said they have seen roughly a 50% increase in monthly natural‑gas bills over the last two months, and that a recent three‑month billing catch‑up produced an unexpectedly large payment. Finance staff are negotiating supply contracts on the town’s behalf and watching market timing to lock in savings.

- Maintenance and preventive contracts: the facilities team described an ongoing contract to provide HVAC troubleshooting and monitoring through 2027; staff said the contract vendor can identify failing units and point local mechanics to specific problem units to reduce diagnostic time.

Study request and budget implications

Facilities leaders said they are requesting funding for an HVAC and facilities study (the department mentioned $250,000 as a planning figure) that would analyze HVAC, electrical and related infrastructure across all town buildings (schools, civic center, town hall, library, police and fire facilities). The department and commissioners discussed whether to limit the study to elementary schools or pursue a townwide scope; the commission and staff expressed a preference for a comprehensive approach to allow prioritization of capital planning.

Commissioners and staff noted capital‑budget timing issues: roof projects and large mechanical work likely require consideration on the next capital plan and may need special town meeting approval if costs exceed the operating/maintenance budget.

Meeting context and next steps

Facilities staff and the commission agreed to fold the facilities requests into the FY26 operating and capital planning process. Commissioners asked for one year of operating experience with the new school so the town can better project ongoing maintenance and energy costs. The commission discussed using free‑cash and capital reserves to seed studies or early repairs, while reserving larger replacement work for the capital plan or a future town meeting vote.

Ending

No formal spending vote was taken on March 20. The facilities presentation will be considered in the commission’s upcoming budget vote scheduled for the next meeting; staff will supply updated encumbrance and contract figures and provide more detailed estimates for study scope and roof replacement costs.","Town facilities staff told the Finance Commission that aging roofs, rising natural‑gas delivery charges and the maintenance needs of a new 88,000‑square‑foot school will push operating costs higher and recommended a study and a dedicated HVAC mechanic to reduce contractor spending.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Blue Hills preliminary FY26 budget seeks $27.72 million; Norwood assessment declines with lower enrollment

Finance Commission schedules FY26 operating vote for next week; discusses free‑cash uses, capital and pension reserve options

Facilities department warns of rising energy and roof costs, asks commissioners to fund HVAC study and staffing