Wayland Finance Committee moves to trim 6.56 percent tax increase in draft FY25 budget

WAYLAND — February 5, 2024 — Wayland Finance Committee pushes to cut 6.56 percent tax hike in draft FY25 budget. Members signaled Monday they want to fund a $500,000 capital stabilization contribution, a $500,000 OPEB contribution and a proposed $150,000 special education reserve transfer from sources other than taxation, and to zero out a $75,000 transfer station transfer that already has a $150,000 fund balance. "We started at 6.7 percent tax increase. I just don't see how that flies," member Kelly Lappin said. Facilities Director John Bugbee told the committee most of roughly $20 million in open capital is either closing out or under contract, with the high school treatment plant and a $300,000 DPW SCADA allocation flagged as truly stalled. DPW Director Tom Holder said road and sidewalk work runs about $1 million a year, including $480,000 in Chapter 90 funds; a recent Cochituate Road sidewalk job cost $534,000. The Jan. 29 minutes were approved 7-0.