Wilmington Town Manager Announced 2018 Budget

WILMINGTON—Town Manager Jeffrey Hull erred on the side of conservatism when he presented the proposed 2018 budget to the Board of Selectmen Jan. 30. The proposed budget for 2018 is $108,914690, an increase of 2.56 percent. from 2017.

Education

The budget also includes a 3.25 percent spending increase for the Wilmington Public School Systems for $1,233,921. Hull mentioned the computers at the middle school are "nine years old" and "should be switched out after five", which will cost the town $72,000.00. Over 260 computers will be bought to replace old ones and expand electronic testing, including 189 in the elementary and middle schools to be used for the Partnership for Assessment and Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) testing program. Hull mentioned his low expectations of additional local aid, although Chapter 70 school funding will increase by $20 per student.

Will the Governor Chip In?

Hull mentioned that the property tax amount for Wilmington is $79,297,072.00, but the state aid has not been able to "keep pace with the cost of government, and as a result, their share has diminished to some degree, and that has been picked up by the property tax." He said this runs against the tenets of Proposition 2.5, "which is supposed to provide some relief from the property tax" and has caused the burden to fall on "struggling families who have to make ends meeting"

Hull had high praise for Governor Baker, particularly about his support of municipal government and help bringing additional aid to the communities.

Scaling Back

There will be no additional new staff in the local government, and the strains of the ambulance staffing pilot program, which has only two ambulances. The proposed solution is for a small overtime budget for two current firefighters to be scheduled additional hours to cover the increased demand in the community. The town's Free Cash Fund, a reserve used for emergencies, has over $18 million. Continued payments to the Employee Retirement Benefits Stabilization account will be made in a payment of $500,000, with Hull stating the payment will "save us money as we retire the debt later."

Watch the whole meeting below:

Image: Board of Selectmen video