Wayland Finance Committee authorizes FY26 omnibus budget article for warrant

WAYLAND -- December 2, 2024, Wayland Finance Committee clears FY26 budget article for warrant, eyes 4.5% tax hike. The committee voted 7-0 Monday to authorize its chair to submit the fiscal 2026 omnibus budget article ahead of the Jan. 15 warrant deadline, with actual numbers to be revoted in late February. The finance director's forecast holds Chapter 70 aid flat, builds in a 10 percent health insurance increase, and projects roughly $700,000 of unused levy cushion; free cash is expected to certify near $10 million, up from $8 million. Members split on the projected 4.5 percent tax increase, with one calling it "a little high" against 2.6 percent inflation and the chair urging the town manager to preserve cushion ahead of a likely FY27 override. Schools face an estimated gap of at least $500,000 driven by full-day kindergarten, previously bridged with ARPA funds.