Wayland FinCom told fiscal 2026 budget fits under levy but override looms after

WAYLAND -- October 7, 2024, Wayland Finance Committee told fiscal 2026 budget will hold the line but an override looms after. Member Brian O'Herlihy, reporting from a budget working group with Town Manager and Finance Director Brian Keveney, said the current forecast shows a 3.99 percent year-over-year increase and a roughly 4.5 percent tax increase, with the budget fitting under the levy limit. But beyond fiscal 2026, "absent a significant increase in state aid or a dramatic drop in expenses, the town will be facing an operating override need," with projected gaps growing "exponentially" from about $2 million to $8 million by fiscal 2030. The state's circuit-breaker reimbursement for special education came in $68,000 short for fiscal 2025, and the $150,000 special education stabilization fund will be fully drawn. Member April walked the committee through the $15.2 million fiscal 2026 capital plan, anchored by a $5.5 million high school wastewater facility replacement; the $20 million to $30 million MWRA permanent connection has been pushed to spring 2026 town meeting. The tri-board meeting was rescheduled to Oct. 29.