Town Manager Proposes $4.6 Million, 3.96 Percent Budget Increase

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington Town Manager Jeffrey Hull has proposed a budget increase just short of four percent for Fiscal Year 2020. In his budget presentation at Monday's Board of Selectmen hearing, Hull proposed an increase of $4,606,989, or 3.96 percent. The increase would be covered in large part by a projected tax levy increase of 2.5 percent and $1.1 million in new growth tax revenues.

The school department would see a 4.25 percent increase, the town a 1.92 percent increase, Shawsheen Tech a 5 percent increase, and "shared costs" a 5.18 percent increase. Shared costs includes insurance, debt, interest and contributions to regional programs like the MBTA. Personnel changes with the school district are the largest contributor to growth, making up $1.6 million.

General government cost increases come heavily from retirement costs and trash/recycling, along with five employees.

Hull also presented the multi-year capital plan, which projects significant increases through fiscal 2023, from $8 million to almost $47 million, before dropping down to $4 million two years later.

Hull's presentation and other budget documents are available here. The full Board of Selectmen meeting, from WCTV, is available here.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.