Summary

Council Approves Budgets and Sets Town Meeting

WakefieldFeb 9, 20262 min read

At a glance

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The Town Council unanimously approved 10 Fiscal Year 2027 budget items, including a $341,558.96 Tax Department budget, a $400,000 Reserve Fund, and a $178,131 Street Lights budget. It also set the Annual Town Meeting for May 4, 2026, opened the warrant, and set a March 13 noon closing deadline.

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Economic Development

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Town Council

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Budget & TaxPublic SafetyCommerceHousingUtilities

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What this means

The approved budget items cover tax administration, public safety systems, inspections, recreation, street lighting, reserves, and other municipal services. The council also scheduled the Annual Town Meeting for 7:00 p.m. on May 4 at the Galvin Middle School Auditorium, with warrant articles due by noon on March 13. Officials reported that six accessory dwelling units have been permitted since the bylaw began in February 2025; two have occupancy permits and four are under construction.

Key decisions

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Approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Tax Department budget of $341,558.96 by a 7-0 vote.
Approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Board of Appeals budget of $27,800 by a 7-0 vote.
Approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Fire Alarm and Traffic Signal budget of $83,000 by a 7-0 vote.
Approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Inspectional Services budget of $503,220 by a 7-0 vote.
Approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Recreation Department budget of $136,136 by a 7-0 vote.
Approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Street Lights budget of $178,131 by a 7-0 vote.
Approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Historical Commission budget of $2,000 by a 7-0 vote.
Approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Unemployment budget of $75,000 by a 7-0 vote.
Approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Reserve Fund budget of $400,000 by a 7-0 vote.
Approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Professional Medical budget of $15,500 by a 7-0 vote.
Appointed Tess Kohanski to the Economic Development Council for a term ending October 31, 2027.
Approved a conflict-of-interest-law exemption allowing Allyson Houghton to sign specified Economic Development Council financial reports.
Accepted $5,801 in donations for Beebe Library.
Set the Annual Town Meeting for May 4, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Galvin Middle School Auditorium; opened the warrant on February 9 and set the closing deadline for March 13 at noon.
Approved the January 26, 2026, Town Council meeting minutes.

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