Town Administrator Rob Dolan presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Departmental Budget earlier than usual at a recent Select Board meeting.
Dolan was joined in his presentation by Finance Director David Castellarin.
“This is significantly earlier than any budget that we’ve done in Lynnfield,” Dolan said. “Usually, this presentation is in March. We have changed the budget process in which we started these conversations, really in November, in this budget. Which will allow the public to have greater community conversations, better input, and more study of the numbers.”
Dolan said this year’s property tax increase is set to bring in $1,473,409 for the Town. Additionally, there is $975,000 in new growth for the Town, “which is the largest new growth figure that I’ve ever had as town administrator,” Dolan said.
He added, “That is a portion of the Sagamore project, not the full Sagamore project. Usually, what we budget for new growth is about $450,000, so that’s a solid number, and that’s really helped us deal with things as we talked about, like insurance.”
According to Dolan, one of the “strains” of the budget is a 14% increase in health insurance for Town employees.
The 14% change is a $1,264,632 increase from last year, he said.
“That’s a third of the total amount of revenue that we bring in in the whole town. Just for that one item, there’s some debate at the State House regarding what’s going to be covered and what sort of plan design can be implemented. But the fact remains that the GIC (Group Insurance Commission) has a $70 million deficit mid-year that is going to have to be covered in a supplemental budget, or they could charge us this year,” Dolan said.
The GIC provides health insurance to Town employees.
According to Dolan, further discussion will be held with municipal departments. On Jan. 26, the fire department, police department, school department, and department of public works will meet with the Select Board.
Dolan said the Finance Committee will also begin the process of reviewing the Town’s budget ahead of the annual Town Meeting.
