Finance Committee targets cuts to trim 6.65 percent Wayland tax increase

WAYLAND — February 21, 2024 — Wayland Finance Committee scrambles to trim a draft 6.65 percent tax increase. Chair Pam opened discussion on a third-draft FY25 budget that lifts operating spending 4.63 percent but raises taxation 6.65 percent, on top of last year's 5.9 percent. Member Brian floated cutting $120,000 tied to 1.8 new town FTEs, $200,000 from a padded energy line, and $300,000 from the school budget routed into the SPED stabilization fund for a net $150,000 in tax relief. Kelly Lapin said she would only back the budget if the roughly $535,000 full-day kindergarten transition is offset by free cash or a $400,000 draw from the sale-of-real-estate reserve. "I have a hard time adding positions knowing what's coming down next year," member Michael Hoyle said, citing a likely fiscal 2026 override. The committee unanimously approved a $30,000 Surface Water Quality appropriation, a $2.5 million debt rescission tied to Launch Your Wayland, and a $60,000 classification study — the town's first since 1997.