Wayland Finance Committee approves $227,155 in year-end transfers over one dissent

WAYLAND — June 24, 2024 — Wayland Finance Committee approves $227,155 in fiscal 2024 year-end transfers, 4-1. Finance Director Brian Keveny told members the package — roughly two-tenths of one percent of the operating budget — covers about $90,000 in overtime at the Joint Communications Center, $55,000 for Medicare tax, $49,000 for the town manager's office, $20,000 for the library, $7,500 for the building department and $5,500 for recreation. Member Brian O'Herlihy cast the no vote, objecting to covering unbudgeted hires and saying new positions should not be added "unless there's an actual budget amount available to pay them." Chair Pam Roman called the practice "poor practice." Michael Hoyle pressed Keveny on a chronic Medicare tax shortfall, calling year-end fixes "a little bit sticking your head in the sand." Member Jonathan Barnett separately reported the town's overlay account is projected at roughly $580,000.