HUBBARDSTON, Mass. — Town Administrator reported April 7 that Hubbardston’s available free cash has been corrected to $403,952 after staff and the state reconciled a $145,611 item that had been mis‑recorded in the state system.

Town Administrator (presenting): “The correct number is now $403,952,” the Town Administrator said, explaining that previously reported free cash of $549,563 had included $145,611 that was recorded incorrectly as available money. The administrator described the discrepancy as a recording error in the state accounting system rather than a loss of physical cash.

Why it matters: Free cash is the town’s carryover funding available for capital projects and one‑time appropriations. The Town Administrator said the corrected figure still leaves the town in the neighborhood of its policy targets but requires re‑prioritization of some planned capital purchases. The administrator proposed delaying or scaling back certain items — for example, removing breathing apparatus replacement from the current year’s capital plan in favor of pursuing anticipated grant funding, and using dedicated funds for a portion of a planned fire pickup truck purchase.

Details and next steps: The Town Administrator said staff will do a deeper accounting review to confirm no other anomalies exist and will bring a finalized FY26 capital and operating budget to the board in advance of annual town meeting. He said the town will continue to aim for stabilization fund and free cash policy targets and work with the finance committee on any proposed use of the corrected free cash amount.

Board response: Select Board members emphasized the need for conservative revenue projections and noted that free cash has trended downward in recent years; one member warned that heavy reliance on free cash for operations is not sustainable.

Ending: The Town Administrator said staff will return with a detailed capital plan and budget adjustments ahead of the town’s annual meeting and that the accounting discrepancy appears resolved after coordination with state officials.