Summary

Council approves capital and operating budgets

WakefieldMar 23, 20263 min read

At a glance

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The Town Council unanimously approved a $1,998,141 FY2027 capital budget, along with $435,000 for sewer capital projects and $320,600 for water capital projects. It also approved FY2027 budgets for the Retirement Department, Veteran’s Department, Health and Human Services, and Department of Public Works.

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Town Council

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TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyCommerceEnvironmentalUtilities

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What this means

The approved capital plan funds vehicles, building improvements, sewer work, and water infrastructure. The council also advanced several Department of Public Works proposals to the May 4, 2026 Annual Town Meeting, including drainage, refuse and recycling, water service line inventory, and rail-trail and park parking projects. The council approved licenses for the proposed employee purchase of Sabatino’s, subject to state approval and completion of the sale, while the Group Health Insurance budget was postponed.

Key decisions

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Approved the FY2027 capital budget of $1,998,141 by a unanimous 7-0 vote.
Approved the FY2027 sewer enterprise capital budget of $435,000 by a unanimous 7-0 vote.
Approved the FY2027 water enterprise capital budget of $320,600 by a unanimous 7-0 vote.
Approved placing Department of Public Works warrant articles on the May 4, 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant, including drainage, refuse and recycling, sewer and water borrowing, parking, and building needs proposals.
Approved the FY2027 Retirement Department budget of $9,374,929.
Approved the FY2027 Veteran’s Department budget of $171,158.34, Health and Human Services budget of $608,240.10, and Department of Public Works budgets totaling $26,233,876 across tax levy, snow and ice, sewer, and water accounts.
Approved all-alcohol, common victualler, and entertainment licenses for Roger and German LLC, doing business as Sabatino’s; the all-alcohol license is subject to ABCC approval, completion of the purchase, and the council’s required finding regarding nearby churches.
Tabled the Group Health Insurance budget for consideration at a future Town Council meeting.

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