By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The Town Council gave its blessing to more departmental budgets this week, as the town’s FY 2023 budget process continues. All budgets are also scrutinized by the Finance Committee before going before the voters at Annual Town Meeting in the Spring.
Town Accountant Kevin Gill presented the numbers for each budget, starting with the Town Council budget request for $596,697. Gill said that the budget includes an increase of $17,333, most of which is in the personal services line item. That amount includes an increased amount for the Economic Development Director, whose hours have been increased. It also includes increased compensation for the Executive Assistant in the Town Administrator’s Office. She has taken on additional duties related to handling all town board meetings conducted via Zoom.
Town Councilor Ann Danehy wanted to add a Town Planner position to this budget. She said that with all the development going on in town, there should be one person who is looking at the big picture and where the town is heading.
Councilor Edward Dombroski said that such a position would cost the town at least $100,000, including benefits. He said that while he agreed with the goal, he was concerned about the cost and didn’t know where the money would come from.
There was some discussion about having a subcommittee look at the position and ways to fund it, with an eye toward adding it at the fall Town Meeting.
The Town Council budget was approved as presented in the amount of $596,697.
The Information Technology Department budget was approved at $381,706, reflecting an increase of $10,035.
The Town Council approved the Police Department budget of $6,723,493 for FY 2023. Gill said that the budget includes an increase of $411,135.
Finance Committee member William Boodry said that the increases included negotiated salary increases as well as an adjustment in holiday pay for the new “Juneteenth” holiday. About $50,000 was also added to purchase storage for digital body cam footage. Another $38,000 was added for July 4th holiday coverage.
The Beebe Library budget was approved at $1,877,097. That amount includes an increase of $65,465, most of which in in personal services.
The Town Council approved the FY 2023 Retirement budget at $7,443,814, which includes an increase of $466,409.
The Town Council reconsidered the Veterans Department budget, which had previously been approved. That budget included $175,000 for direct payment of benefits to veterans, although the amount paid out has dropped sharply in recent years.
It was noted that the Finance Committee recommended dropping that amount down to $130,000, an amount still significantly higher that what had been needed in recent years.
There was discussion of the possibility that some of the recent decrease in veterans seeking benefits may be COVID related. It was also noted that the Veterans Department is in the process of stepping up outreach to locate local veterans eligible for benefits.
It was also noted that the fall Town Meeting could always add to this budget if it appears to be running low. In any case, no eligible veteran would be turned away, as the money could also be taken from reserve funds if necessary.
Ultimately, there was no motion from the board to change the Veterans Department budget request, so it will go forward as originally presented.
