Annual Wayland 2022 Budget Forum Will Happen Thursday

WAYLAND, MA — Wayland residents will be able to get a preview of the next fiscal year's town budget at a Finance Committee forum scheduled for Thursday.

During the forum, residents will hear from committee members about next year's budget, and will be able to make comments. The Finance Committee will be working on the town budget this spring ahead of the May 15 town meeting. The 2022 fiscal year begins on July 1.

So far, the fiscal 2022 budget is $88.6 million, which is about $2.5 million higher than the current fiscal year. More than half of that 3 percent year-over-year increase comes from Wayland Public Schools, whose budget is proposed to rise from $43.3 to $44.7 million.

The unclassified portion of the budget — which includes everything from insurance to stormwater costs — is set to increase about $1 million from $23.2 million to $24.3 million. That's largely due to a $390,000 increase in the salary reserve fund, and a $496,000 rise in health insurance contributions.

Wayland's general fund, which includes everything from police to parks, will only rise by about $170,000 compared to the current fiscal year.

Thursday's budget forum begins at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.