Wayland Finance Committee delays FY24 budget vote amid 8.45% spending increase

WAYLAND — January 17, 2023 — Wayland Finance Committee punts on FY24 budget facing a 10% tax hike. Members declined to vote Tuesday on acting Town Manager Brian Keveney's draft fiscal 2024 budget, which carries an 8.45 percent spending increase, after member Brian O'Hurley warned that "10 percent optically is a big number in absolute." Chair Pam Roman broke down the increase as 1.9 percent from debt service, roughly 2 percent from a nearly $1.9 million salary reserve covering fire union back contracts, 0.6 percent from health insurance, and 3.6 percent from the schools — including a $1.7 million special education jump tied to nine unilateral placements, six settlement agreements, and roughly $750,000 in unbudgeted FY23 costs. Keveney already cut $700,000 to $750,000 from the superintendent's request, eliminating $450,000 in full-day kindergarten funding. Member Kelly Lappin refused to revisit the town's $500,000 OPEB contribution, calling it a can that "can only kick down the road so far." The Jan. 3 minutes passed 5-0-0.