Wayland Select Board reviews $104.4M FY25 budget; override likely by 2027

WAYLAND -- December 18, 2023, Wayland Select Board hears $104.4M FY25 budget that pushes town toward FY27 override. Finance Director Brian Keveny and Town Manager Michael McCall walked the board and Finance Committee through a 4.75 percent increase that includes a $535,000 placeholder for full-day kindergarten, driving the required tax increase from 5.7 to 6.7 percent. Unused levy capacity is projected to fall from $1.4 million in FY25 to roughly $123,000 in FY26 under a 3.5 percent growth assumption. "There's never a good year to put that $500,000 in your budget," Keveny said, after the state ruled out advancing Chapter 70 reimbursement. The budget funds $500,000 to capital stabilization and $150,000 to a special education reserve. The board also voted 4-0 to provide $15,000 in supplemental FY24 funding to WayCAM contingent on a School Committee match, and Fire Chief Neil McPherson swore in two new captains and two new lieutenants.