WILMINGTON, MA — The Board of Selectmen, at their meeting on Monday, received an important update from Town Manager Jeff Hull, who provided an overview on how he is preparing and planning the town’s budget for Fiscal Year 2017 (July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017).
In a memo to Selectmen, Hull reveals his overall goals and priorities for the FY17 budget, which include:
- Limit overall operating budget increases, exclusive of statutory charges and insurance, to 3%.
- Provide customer service the way we would like to experience it if we were on the receiving end.
- Ensure Wilmington students graduate prepared for the challenge and opportunities of college or employment in the 21st century.
- Improve energy efficiency in municipal buildings and in the vehicle fleet.
- Expand our use of technology to improve customer service and to make our processes more streamlined and effective.
- Utilize a multi-year Capital Improvement Plan as a guide for understand the full scope of capital needs and as a tool to prioritize the order in which those needs will be addressed; and incorporate the long range Facilities Master Plan into the multi-year projections.
- Provide employees with the opportunities to enhance and expand their job search.
- Make resources available to employees to improve their health and wellness.
- Provide resources to assist those effective by substance abuse.
Hull expounds on that last point, writing:
The need to dedicate resources to confront the growing substance abuse problem in Wilmington will be a priority for FY17. Just in the past two years, the number of emergency response calls and fatalities due to overdoses have increased. Substance abuse impacts every aspect of our community; as residents in the throws of addiction and their families cope with the financial, behavioral, educational, and physical ramifications of the epidemic. Resources need to be directed to assist those vulnerable to substance abuse and support their families in town.
Hull also stresses the need for the town to continue to address (1) its long-term liabilities, including its unfunded retirement liability and its “Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB)” liability, and (2) its capital needs through its Capital Improvement Plan, Facility Master Plan, and Capital Stabilization account.
The Town Budget Process Is In Full Swing
Within the next two weeks, Hull will have received all FY17 budget requests from each town department. He will begin the process of reviewing the requests, needs and projections of each operation.
Hull, who has already met with the Finance Committee to review the budget process and provide an overview of the town’s finances, will next hear from the Board of Selectmen, who will have a public discussion at their December meeting relative to any additional budget requests and priorities they would like to see addressed in the FY17 budget.
Hull will present his proposed FY17 budget to the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee on Monday, February 1. Budget numbers will actually be finalized, however, no later than the week of January 11.
Wilmington In Good Financial Shape
In the memo, Hull classifies Wilmington’s economy as “strong,” noting the relocation of OSRAM to Wilmington, the opening of new retail businesses on Ballardvale Street, residential developments on McDonald Road and McGrane Road; and work/anticipated work on the Murray Hill development and the former “Garden of Eden” property off of Chestnut Street.
Hull projects local receipts (meals tax, motor vehicles excise tax, and ambulance charges) and other sources of local revenue to remain strong and/or stable for FY17, with free cash expected to increase over its $11.48 million balance. State aid will also remain “relatively stable,” according to Hull.
Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook! Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter! Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE! Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com
Wilmington Apple 