Published in the January 25, 2018 edition
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The local municipal budget season officially kicked off this week as the Board of Selectmen approved 18 of the smaller, more routine Fiscal Year 2019 departmental budgets. All budgets will also be scrutinized by the Finance Committee before going before the voters at Annual Town Meeting in May.
Town Accountant Kevin Gill presented the numbers and many of the department heads were on hand to answer any questions. Before Gill got started, Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio observed that of the budgets reviewed this week, only one — the Election Expense budget — had a substantial increase over last year. That increase was due to the fact that in FY 2019 there will be three elections: the Town Election in April plus the State Primary in September and the State Election in November 2018.
Gill led off with the budget for the Legal Department, headed by Town Counsel Thomas Mullen. Gill said this budget was increased by $3,200, mainly in personal services. The total budget request for FY 2018 is $180,996. The selectmen approved the budget with no discussion.
The aforementioned Election Expense budget request was for $44,500, an increase of $29,667 due to the number of elections. The board approved the budget after a brief discussion.
Next, Gill presented the level-funded, $7,060 Finance Committee budget, which was approved with no discussion.
The Conservation Commission budget request included a $1,079-increase, Gill said, mostly in personal services for contractual salary increases. The board approved the $44,646 Conservation Commission budget request.
The board approved the Planning Board’s level-funded request for $12,975 with no discussion.
After a brief discussion, the selectmen OK’d the Board of Appeals budget request for $25,300, which included a $4,100-increase.
Gill next presented the Fire Alarm budget, which he explained also covers maintaining traffic signals as well as municipal fire alarm circuits and master boxes in private properties. Fire Captain Randy Hudson answered a few questions on the fees the town charges for master boxes. The selectmen approved the budget request at $58,290.
Gill explained that the town has for a number of years contracted out the Town Sealer of Weights and Measures to the state Division of Standards. The board approved the Town Sealer budget of $6,000.
The selectmen approved with no discussion the Animal Inspector’s budget of $80,805, including a $4,458 increase, mainly in personal services. Animal Inspector Ken Stache was on hand.
Stache also holds the part-time Parking Clerk position. That department budget was approved at $12,275, including a $72 increase.
Gill presented the Council on Aging Budget request of $234,445, including a $7,632 increase. After a brief discussion, the board approved the request. Council on Aging Director Judy Luciano was on hand to answer questions.
The $100,588 Recreation Department budget was approved, including an $8,318 increase. Gill said that the Recreation budget was covered by fees charged for programs.
The selectmen approved the Veterans Department budget request for $243,507, including an increase of $1,100. Veterans Service Officer Karen Burke was on hand and answered questions from the board. She said that there has been an increase in veterans applying for benefits. Wakefield is reimbursed by the state for 75 percent of veterans benefits paid out.
The board approved a level-funded $188,131 for Street Lights.
A level-funded $2,000 was approved for the Historical Commission budget.
Gill presented the Unemployment budget at a level-funded $75,000.
The board approved putting $300,000 into the Reserve fund in FY 2019.
The Professional Medical budget was increased by $1,000 to $9,9850 for FY 2019. This budget is used for new employee physicals and for medical exams for certain types of drivers licenses.
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The selectmen scheduled a joint meeting with the Municipal Gas & Light Department Commissioners to appoint someone to fill the vacancy created when Michael McCarthy resigned to become the MGLD’s in-house counsel.
Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio told the board that he questioned the need for an appointment, with the April Town Election so close. But, he said, he was informed by Town Counsel Thomas Mullen that the statute states specifically that a replacement “shall” be appointed in the case of a vacancy. Concerned about giving one candidate an electoral advantage, the selectmen talked about the possibility of appointing someone who promised not run for a full term.
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In other business this week, the Board of Selectmen:
• Scheduled a Public Hearing for an all alcohol license, common victualler license and entertainment license for Las Chivas, Inc. at 979 Main Street for Feb. 26, 2018 at 7:10 p.m.
• Scheduled a Public Hearing for an all alcohol license, common victualler license and entertainment license for CMRG, LLC at 175 North Avenue for Feb. 26, 2018 at 7:20 p.m.
• Approved a request from the Wakefield Little League to hold their annual season-opening parade on Saturday, April 28 at 10 a.m.
• Agreed to re-advertise for bids on a piece of tax-title property on Redfield Road with no minimum bid.
• Approved a one-day liquor license for Julie Smith-Galvin for a one-day liquor license at the Americal Civic Center on Jan. 29, 2018.
• Approved a request for a one-day liquor license for Jennifer Calley for a fund-raiser at the Americal Civic Center on March 1, 2018.
• Approved a request from the Wakefield Independence Day Committee to use the parking lot at the Galvin Middle School for their annual fund-raising carnival set for April 17 to 21.
• Continued to Monday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. the public hearing on National Grid’s proposal to run 3.5 miles of underground electrical transmission line through Wakefield. The town’s consultant, Dr. Robert Kavet, is expected to present his report at that time. National Grid representatives are also expected at the hearing, which will be held in the Wakefield Memorial High School cafeteria.
