Wayland Finance Committee elects Giudice chair, Barnes vice chair

WAYLAND -- May 12, 2025, Wayland Finance Committee installs new leadership as FY27 override looms. The committee voted unanimously Monday to elevate Phil Giudice to chair and Carl Barnes to vice chair effective July 1, replacing outgoing Chair Michael Hoyle. Finance Director Brian Keveney and Town Manager Michael McCauley told members they will first attempt an FY27 budget within Proposition 2 1/2 but are modeling a possible multi-year override on an April 7, 2026 ballot, citing a 12 percent health insurance assumption, expiring collective bargaining agreements, and Wayland's ranking of 312th of 351 Massachusetts municipalities in new growth. The state added $163,000 in Chapter 70 aid for FY26. Member Brian O'Hurley warned that "if you're going to go override, you have to be going full bore by early fall." McCauley said FEMA has still not released grant funding for the high school wastewater treatment plant upgrade.