Don Kupka

“Mr. Kupka proposed May 7, 2026 at 6:30pm as the date and time for Fin Com's first organizational gathering following ATM.”

“Mr. Kupka suggested adding a year-over-year percentage to the tax increase figure.”

“Mr. Kupka asked whether using retained earnings for capital improvements would reduce the interest income included in Beede's revenue projections.”

“Mr. Kupka summarized the group's work on capital and debt policy metrics”

“Mr. Kupka noted that the reserve policy also establishes a 4% floor for the General Stabilization Fund, and that the combined floor for free cash and general stabilization is 8%. He cautioned against giving the impression that the Town can draw free cash below that combined threshold.”

“Mr. Kupka seconded the motion.”

“Mr. Kupka asked whether the Select Board had considered engaging a program manager to bring structure and defined milestones to the planning effort.”

“Mr. Kupka suggested the report acknowledge the FAAC's role while also making clear that the Finance Committee will continue to monitor the situation and remain aware of developments.”

“Mr. Kupka moved to recommend affirmative action on this motion”

“Mr. Kupka moved to recommend affirmative action on this motion”

“Mr. Kupka moved to recommend affirmative action on this motion”

“Mr. Kupka moved to recommend affirmative action on this motion”

“Mr. Kupka moved to recommend affirmative action on this motion”

“Mr. Kupka moved to recommend affirmative action on this motion”

“Mr. Kupka moved to recommend affirmative action on this motion”

“Mr. Kupka moved to recommend affirmative action on this motion”

“Mr. Kupka moved to recommend affirmative action on this Article”

“Mr. Kupka seconded the motion”

“Mr. Kupka seconded the motion”

“Mr. Kupka seconded the motion”

“Mr. Kupka seconded the motion.”

“Mr. Kupka seconded the motion”

“Mr. Kupka seconded the motion”

“Mr. Kupka moved to recommend affirmative action on this Article”

“Mr. Kupka seconded the motion.”

“Mr. Kupka seconded the motion.”

“Mr. Kupka seconded the motion.”

“Mr. Kupka asked that page 3 be corrected from $30 million debt exclusion to $27.5 million”

“Mr. Kupka asked whether FY24 was an outlier because existing policies were disregarded or because policies/processes were never in place”

“Mr. Kupka clarified that reserve releases used last year to reduce middle school debt impact are factored into the FY26 tax levy but not included as an alternative funding source in FY27.”

“Mr. Kupka clarified that reserve releases used last year to reduce middle school debt impact are factored into the FY26 tax levy but not included as an alternative funding source in FY27.”

“Chair Wasoff and Mr. Kupka will formally notify the budgeting entities of final guidelines”

“Mr. Kupka seconded.”

“Mr. Kupka recommended a 20 year timeline”

“Mr. Kupka recommended a 20 year timeline”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka guided the FinCom”

“Mr. Kupka guided the FinCom”

“Mr. Kupka guided the FinCom”

“Mr. Kupka moved to include out-of-district placement costs in FY27 guidelines”

“Mr. Kupka moved to include out-of-district placement costs in FY27 guidelines”

“Mr. Kupka moved to include out-of-district placement costs in FY27 guidelines”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka requested that Dr. Hunter and Mr. Conry address points 6.3 through 6.6 in FinCom’s letter regarding per student costs, both with and without out-of-district students.”

“Mr. Kupka requested that Dr. Hunter and Mr. Conry address points 6.3 through 6.6 in FinCom’s letter regarding per student costs, both with and without out-of-district students.”

“Mr. Kupka requested that Dr. Hunter and Mr. Conry address points 6.3 through 6.6 in FinCom’s letter regarding per student costs, both with and without out-of-district students.”

“Mr. Kupka will do scenario analysis for out-of-districts expenses.”

“Mr. Kupka will do scenario analysis for out-of-districts expenses.”

“Mr. Kupka will do scenario analysis for out-of-districts expenses.”

“Mr. Dahlberg and Mr. Kupka would like to see enrollment by town since 2012 to present”

“Mr. Dahlberg and Mr. Kupka would like to see enrollment by town since 2012 to present”

“Mr. Dahlberg and Mr. Kupka would like to see enrollment by town since 2012 to present”

“Mr. Dahlberg and Mr. Kupka would like to see enrollment by town since 2012 to present”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka”

“Mr. Kupka reported the Employment Cost Index went up 0.2%. He will incorporate this update into the metrics.”

“Mr. Kupka remarked that while it is FinCom’s responsibility to report annually on these reserves, it’s the first time that he has seen that much information.”

“Mr. Kupka remarked that while it is FinCom’s responsibility to report annually on these reserves, it’s the first time that he has seen that much information.”

“Mr. Kupka moved to approve the minutes of July 31, 2025, as submitted”

“Mr. Kupka noted that issued debt service paid out of the general fund is 11-12% of the budget today, but if $130M of authorized, unissued debt came to happen, the ratio would rise to 24-25%.”

“Mr. Kupka encouraged attendance at the upcoming meeting of Concord Light and Power”

“Mr. Kupka encouraged attendance at the upcoming meeting of Concord Light and Power”

“Mr. Kupka will assure sending the metrics letters to the Town and Schools.”

“Mr. Kupka noted that metrics inform the guidelines which are crafted after the budgeting units present to Fin Comm.”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka will most likely serve as the FinCom members”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka presented a review of last year's FY26 metrics and guideline processes and components”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka requested a joint meeting in August with Schools because the out-of-district expenses must be addressed early on.”

“Mr. Kupka suggested we look to state website guidelines as to how FinCom and SB work together”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka asked for a specific drill-down report on the higher-than-expected free cash level”

“Mr. Kupka noted that the MCI Concord Advisory Task Force will hold public outreach workshops on May 28 and May 29”

“Mr. Kupka noted that the MCI Concord Advisory Task Force will hold public outreach workshops on May 28 and May 29”

“Mr. Kupka noted that the MCI Concord Advisory Task Force will hold public outreach workshops on May 28 and May 29”

“Mr. Kupka observed that the Town has been borrowing for road maintenance every year using non-excluded debt as part of the Concord Public Works budget. He also noted that, if Article 8 passes, we will be using excluded debt which will give us more headroom towards our Proposition 2 ½ limit.”

“Mr. Kupka observed that the Town has been borrowing for road maintenance every year using non-excluded debt as part of the Concord Public Works budget. He also noted that, if Article 8 passes, we will be using excluded debt which will give us more headroom towards our Proposition 2 ½ limit.”

“Clerk Kupka gave information on neighboring towns' 2023 levels of free cash, stabilization funds, and excess levy capacity and urged the FinCom to establish target numbers for Concord.”

“Clerk Kupka gave information on neighboring towns' 2023 levels of free cash, stabilization funds, and excess levy capacity and urged the FinCom to establish target numbers for Concord.”

“Clerk Kupka gave information on neighboring towns' 2023 levels of free cash, stabilization funds, and excess levy capacity and urged the FinCom to establish target numbers for Concord.”

“Clerk Kupka gave information on neighboring towns' 2023 levels of free cash, stabilization funds, and excess levy capacity and urged the FinCom to establish target numbers for Concord.”

“Clerk Kupka gave information on neighboring towns' 2023 levels of free cash, stabilization funds, and excess levy capacity and urged the FinCom to establish target numbers for Concord.”

“Clerk Kupka noted that he will present information on the Town's expenditure per capita later relative to other towns later in tonight's meeting.”

“Clerk Kupka presented information on the planning process for the FinCom report”

“Clerk Kupka urged members to make the Report more understandable”

“Mr. Kupka noted that as excluded debt is retired the Levy Limit is reduced”

“Mr. Kupka noted that as excluded debt is retired the Levy Limit is reduced”

“Mr. Kupka outlined several issues to be highlighted in the Report”

“Mr. Kupka said he encourages the budget entities to work with FinCom on avoiding an override vote.”

“Mr. Kupka suggested we should revisit the FinCom policies and practices on free cash, currently around $8 million, and the levy capacity.”

“Mr. Kupka suggested we should revisit the FinCom policies and practices on free cash, currently around $8 million, and the levy capacity.”

“Mr. Kupka showed several slides with early ideas for the FinCom annual report, focusing on the cost of providing services in Concord.”

“Mr. Kupka will continue working on the Annual Report.”

“Mr. Kupka will continue working on the Annual Report.”

“Mr. Sadruzzaman and Mr. Kupka noted that the spreadsheets show that every $100,000 we spend in property taxes beyond what the Town brings in, brings us ten basis points closer to a zero levy capacity.”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Krupka presented a draft FinCom letter to the Concord Bridge regarding the MCI Concord project.”

“Mr. Kupka reported that the state agency, DCAMM, presented Concord with a timeline and appears inclined to directly issue RFPs for redevelopment rather than turn the property over to the Town, and noted that the State's priorities are housing and clean energy.”

“Mr. Kupka reported that the state agency, DCAMM, presented Concord with a timeline and appears inclined to directly issue RFPs for redevelopment rather than turn the property over to the Town, and noted that the State's priorities are housing and clean energy.”

“Mr. Kupka reported that the state agency, DCAMM, presented Concord with a timeline and appears inclined to directly issue RFPs for redevelopment rather than turn the property over to the Town, and noted that the State's priorities are housing and clean energy.”

“Mr. Kupka reported that the state agency, DCAMM, presented Concord with a timeline and appears inclined to directly issue RFPs for redevelopment rather than turn the property over to the Town, and noted that the State's priorities are housing and clean energy.”

“Mr. Kupka asked about the status of labor negotiations”

“Mr. Kupka asked about the status of labor negotiations”

“Mr. Kupka and Ms. Wasoff had a few minor corrections for spelling and zeros to the March 7 and May 23 minutes”

“Respectfully submitted, Don Kupka, Finance Committee Clerk”

“Mr. Kupka reported that the MCI Concord Advisory Board meets every two weeks and now awaits legislation that will officially close the prison and provide funding to Concord for site studies.”

“Mr. Kupka reported that the MCI Concord Advisory Board meets every two weeks and now awaits legislation that will officially close the prison and provide funding to Concord for site studies.”

“Mr. Kupka reported that the MCI Concord Advisory Board meets every two weeks and now awaits legislation that will officially close the prison and provide funding to Concord for site studies.”

“Mr. Kupka reported that the MCI Concord Advisory Board meets every two weeks and now awaits legislation that will officially close the prison and provide funding to Concord for site studies.”

“Mr. Kupka reported that the MCI Concord Advisory Board meets every two weeks and now awaits legislation that will officially close the prison and provide funding to Concord for site studies.”

“Mr. Kupka reported that the MCI Concord Advisory Board meets every two weeks and now awaits legislation that will officially close the prison and provide funding to Concord for site studies.”

“Mr. Kupka questioned if we want to mention the off-budget increases to the Enterprise fund for storm water and the $50 million for freshwater.”

“Mr. Kupka questioned the ability to identify the trees as a memorial since they would be placed all over town. He also noted that this project would be supplanting an existing Town tree-planting program.”

“Mr. Kupka asked to point him toward any capital that's going toward the buildings.”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka moved”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka seconded”

“Mr. Kupka proposed the use of a visual economic Thermometer”

“Mr. Kupka mentioned that the superintendent position at Minuteman remains undecided.”

“Mr. Kupka mentioned that the superintendent position at Minuteman remains undecided.”

“Mr. Kupka reported on Minuteman Tech stating that a search committee for a new Superintendent has commenced.”

“Mr. Kupka reiterated the following relevant factors critical to the development of the guidelines”

“Mr. Kupka second the motion.”

“Slate of nominations include Parashar Patel – Chair, Eric Dahlberg – Vice Chair, Lois Wasoff – Guidelines Chair, and Lyndsey Lis - Guidelines Vice Chair, Dee Ortner as Clerk and Don Kupka – Vice Clerk.”

“Mr. Kupka regarding the boilers”

“Mr. Kupka seconded the motion”

“seconded by Mr. Kupka”

“Mr. Kupka noted that the vote should indicate that the revised figure was within guidelines, whereas the original figure would not have been within guidelines.”

“Mr. Kupka noted that the vote should indicate that the revised figure was within guidelines, whereas the original figure would not have been within guidelines.”

“Mr. Kupka also stated he was unclear as to what the process would be and who the decision maker would be and feels the $550,000 is an odd request given there are other projects and therefore, he cannot support the request”

“Don Kupka – Vice Clerk”

“MOTION: Don Kupka moved that the Finance Committee vote to support the 250th anniversary celebration and to support the appropriation of $1 million in free cash to fund the celebration this year.”

“Don Kupka stated that before the school buildings were replaced, the town had adopted a policy of dedicating $900,000 annually to school capital needs, but that may no longer be prudent. He added that debt service is the fastest growing category of town spending.”

“Don Kupka stated that he reviewed spending over the last 20 years, and he observed that spending on schools as a percentage of total spending has remained fairly consistent (roughly two thirds of the total). He would like revenue to be part of the discussion as well.”

“Don Kupka asked that the School Committee look at tuition at the Ripley School from a revenue perspective – he acknowledged that this may be a difficult exercise but believes it is important under the circumstances. He also challenged the School Committee to look at how other districts are able to deliver services for less.”

“Don Kupka moved that the Committee recommend a vote of No Action on Article 18”

“A conversation ensued lead by Don concerning the need for further information on the replacement of boilers and their useful life”

“Mr. Kupka asked if there is another layer of fees now that we have hired an investment advisor.”

“Mr. Kupka asked if hospitality services contribute through tax revenue? Will this also be a national event?”

“Mr. Kupka commented that in the past unspent funds were rolled into free cash. He asked for an explanation why this year the Town was incorporated those funds into the budget, which reduces free cash.”

“Mr. Kupka commented that in the past unspent funds were rolled into free cash. He asked for an explanation why this year the Town was incorporated those funds into the budget, which reduces free cash.”

“Mr. Kupka shared his observation that there was a very detailed discussion of potential budget items to be eliminated or cut at a very early point in the process. Mr. Kupka further noted that his heart broke when a school employee said that their position would be eliminated. Mr. Kupka proposed that when the Finance Committee asks for information about cost reductions, we aren't seeking that level of detail. We should be able to have a conversation about overall spending without creating stress for individual employees or students.”

“Mr. Kupka shared highlights of information he retrieved from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education”

“Don Kupka stated that he feels the taxpayers are owed two explanations: one from the building committee on the impact of inflation on the project and another from the Finance Committee on the tax impact.”

“Don Kupka asked if the building has been designed for future expansion and asked about the projections for enrollment and future capacity.”

“Mr. Kupka is liaison to the Planning Board.”

“Kathy, Don, and others suggested Gail Dowd look at state and federal aid programs including Build Back Better Program for funds that could, even indirectly, contribute to the Stabilization Fund.”

“Mr. Kupka commended the school committee for advocating for the students.”

“Mr. Kupka asked if Tier Two includes expenses associated with the parks”

“Mr. Kupka noted that there is typically a bid contingency and a construction contingency.”

“Mr. Kupka stated that the zoning changes approved for part of Concord at Town Meeting includes several details that the Town Planner feels can be incorporated town wide, particularly related to green space and affordable housing.”

“Mr. Kupka noted that there will be a large development of housing on a parcel partially in Sudbury, partially in Concord”

“Mr. Kupka noted that a level-services budget may exceed the growth in personal income”

“Mr. Johnson”

“Mr. Kupka made a MOTION”

“Mr. Kupka asked what does the Planning Division rules and regulations update mean, wondering if it involved a zoning update?”

“Mr. Kupka asked what does the Planning Division rules and regulations update mean, wondering if it involved a zoning update?”

“Mr. Kupka asked if there is expected increase in fuel and utilities.”

“The Chair introduced new member, Don Kupka.”

“The Chair introduced new member, Don Kupka.”

“Abstain: Dee Ortner, Eric Dahlberg, Don Kupka”