Berlin Finance Committee Confronts School District Over Rising Assessment, Budget Pressure

BERLIN — March 4, 2026 — Berlin Finance Committee pressed the regional school district to redirect accumulated surplus funds as the town faces a growing FY27 budget gap. Finance Committee Chair Jim reported that after a late-night exchange at the March 4 meeting drew a response from the district's interim superintendent, he met Monday with Superintendent Al Ganam and Finance Director Aaron Osborne to explore whether the Berlin-Boylston Regional School District's estimated $1.2 million in available excess-and-deficiency funds could offset operating costs, allowing Berlin to use its $2.8 million free cash balance to hold down the tax rate. The committee also confirmed a $391,550 reduction in the chapter 32B health insurance line after GLP-1 weight-loss drug coverage was dropped, bringing the revised figure to $836,330 at a 5.22 percent rate increase. A $382,715 one-time free-cash transfer from several years ago — made to cover special-education students who never enrolled — remains a central grievance, with the chair stating the district "incorporated that sum into the basis" of subsequent assessments without disclosure. Recreation Committee Chair Felicia warned the town faces forfeiture of $180,000 in ARPA playground funds unless the Casey Gilfoil Memorial Play Area project is completed by year-end.