FinCom eyes new guardrails for smaller-dollar spending

Finance Committee members are increasingly interested in some of Acton’s more run-of-the-mill projects.

Though not as flashy as new schools or other buildings, panelist Don Kupka has said the kind of smaller-dollar spending that covers everything from building maintenance to new fire trucks is “really where Acton’s debt problem lies.” 

Tighter controls, he said earlier this month, could save taxpayers money.

Town Manager Kerry Lafleur flagged existing financial policies and said staff build their capital budget each year “to meet these policy targets.”

She said this helps the town “invest responsibly in our facilities, infrastructure, and equipment while maintaining long-term financial stability” and “any future changes to these guidelines would, of course, be reviewed collaboratively with the Finance Committee.”

Public schools spokesperson Thomas Lucey said in an email that, “District leadership values the ongoing dialogue and collaboration” with FinCom.

Budget breakdown

FinCom sets guidelines each year as recommendations for annual budget increases. Guidelines focus on line items that budget writers can control; they exclude inflexible costs like insurance and pensions.

FinCom has historically exempted most capital spending, which falls into three tiers based on the size of a project.

Panelists removed one remaining section — so-called tier one town projects under $250,000 — during the 2026 fiscal year budget process. 

Tier one costs for the town jumped to $2.7 million, according to one comparison of fiscal ‘25 and ‘26 Town Meeting materials. Tier one projects are paid in cash.

FinCom discussed capital spending at several meetings in recent months and are now considering adding more formal guardrails.

Approached after a Select Board meeting last week, Lafleur said tier two spending will actually decrease this year.

Kupka previously presented data showing larger capital spending increases. In an email last Tuesday, he told The Acton Bridge he might have to update his work. “However, I suspect that the conclusion may not differ materially,” he said.

Interim Chief Financial Officer Ryan Ferrara told The Bridge that staff will review capital spending and present an update to FinCom on October 30.

Maintenance needs

Acton’s high tax rate is a nearly omnipresent topic in budget talks. 

New procedures could involve bringing tier one and tier two projects — which are funded through borrowing — under some form of FinCom guideline. Blockbuster tier three projects, such as the new Ellen Garrison Building at Acton Middle School, will stay exempt.

Lafleur has generally pledged to meet FinCom’s non-binding guidelines. School officials have frequently bucked the panel in recent years and brought budgets to Town Meeting above what FinCom had recommended. 

Lucey said leaders “will continue working closely” with FinCom to develop recommendations “that support the District’s strategic plan for the educational needs of our students and staff while remaining mindful of the impact on taxpayers.”

Ferrara didn’t weigh in on FinCom’s proposal during the group’s most recent session but flagged down Kupka, who is heading the panel’s guideline process, moments after FinCom adjourned. The two spent nearly 40 minutes discussing the matter in the otherwise empty Town House.

When Kupka emerged, he acknowledged that the town’s aging buildings need frequent upkeep, and existing state guidelines“may be unrealistic” for Acton. 

Debt service concerns

Tier one and tier two projects are a small share of the more than $140 million in approved spending for fiscal ’26.

FinCom member Eric Dahlberg said he’s still worried about an increasing share of Acton’s money going toward paying down debt. 

Asked about managing old buildings, he said prioritization is key. “We should hold our leaders accountable for prioritizing effectively,” he told The Bridge.

For its part, a recent Massachusetts Municipal Association report said towns statewide are facing “historic fiscal pressures,” including sluggish state aid and inflation that has outpaced the commonwealth’s 2.5% cap on annual property tax increases.

In addition to debt talk, FinCom heard early projections for new K-8 and high school budgets on October 16. School officials will build out their budgets over the coming months, and FinCom will continue guideline discussions. Town staff are set to present early figures for the 2027 fiscal year on October 30, and FinCom could adopt a preliminary guideline at that meeting.