Woburn Mayor Proposes 4.84% Increases In 2023 Budget

WOBURN, MA — On Thursday, Mayor Scott Galvin presented the $174 million budget for 2023 to the Woburn City Council.

The budget, which increased by $8 million from last year, will be funded by a tax levy and water and sewer fees. The budget will also be financed by state aid and chapter 70 school funding. Fuel prices, inflation, hiring new firefighters, school budget, and contracts with city hall employees led to the increased budget, said a release from Mayor Galvin. The City Council will vote to approve the budget on June. 7.

School Budget

The Woburn Public School budget will increase by $2 million, with an additional $2 million provided through federal funds meant for school initiatives. “Our continued commitment to school funding has helped Superintendent Matthew Crowley and the school committee with a number of important initiatives,” said a release from Mayor Galvin. The Woburn School District plans to use the funds for:

• Investments in K-12 reading and math
• Additional teaching and support for special education
• Expanded access to music and theatre, with the creation of a full-time theater position and assistant band leader positions
• Increased Human Resources department to support staff and management

Maturing Debt

Last year, the city borrowed $23 million–rather than burdening taxpayers–to construct a new Fire Station Headquarters, which will open in January 2023. The principal and interest on the borrowed funds will increase by $1 million for 2023, totaling $6.2 million.

Waste Management

The city is now in the second year of a three-year contract for trash and recycling pickup with Waste Management. Driving the proposed $191 thousand increase is the rise in fuel and recycling materials costs.

Labor Contracts

The budget includes the costs of three new labor contracts signed by the city and $1,317,827 to fund wage increases and unsettled city labor and school contracts.