[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6220637,"mediaKeyId","3616694-b14a67ee2c074879eed25622f2d89417","parentId",3616694,"title","Veterans Affairs budget presented as level‑funded; flags reimbursed through Chapter 115 program","audioSeconds",306,"startMs",1759000,"endMs",2065000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616694-b14a67ee2c074879eed25622f2d89417&start=1759&end=2065","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616694-b14a67ee2c074879eed25622f2d89417/thumbnail_1759000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220637/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Veterans-Affairs-budget-presented-as-levelfunded-flags-reimbursed-through-Chapter-115-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220637-0b8151ed3f5db61f3fdcbe852c985ea7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164465&Signature=RvsvDkWj~FuUc6naVqwvU8DMRVL2Ff6PV~cmuQu3C7BCSYz7SQW~R3W2l97tya1qeuZFUvzuBFShrQa28P8BG7U74-wd2IYR1cyl2q1ZMvjq70rjCnwH1JSBXiognu4rmroG54DQknoaCickskffuLQ13knWjRnJMTSkaS4xDXV3908xovWhvPwF2k8s4kN0wVrqHs9S-JI7nOVIrl8ag40Veopn2rXnRFegT6CZQC9aqR5MVTuswBb-7AqIoi0Xo53XH8O~apdmQ7dJC29CXkymXgTFgsZLcbyPRr~SywShUnRz~BZ8zE74rUT8EQmygArx6k1~pEy2CORdFae6PQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Woburn City, MA","date","2025-05-28T13:51:04Z","article","The city’s Veterans Services director reported the department’s FY26 budget to the finance committee and said overall operations and the veterans’ agent budget will be “level set” for the coming year.

Director (Bob) said the principal budget pressure is the rising cost of flags — an annual item that has increased lately — and that the city receives reimbursement for flag costs through the state’s Chapter 115 program. The director said the program reimburses flag expenses and that he is able to use available funds to cover the purchases.

The department’s cash‑aid payments to veterans average about $20,000 per month, the director said, with some months higher or lower. Councilors thanked the veterans director and volunteers for recent events and community programs and discussed moving forward with the veterans’ tax exemption under the HERO Act; council support for pursuing that exemption was expressed.

The director also described maintenance items in the veterans’ budget and said most planned expenses are reimbursable or within expected ranges. Councilors offered public thanks for the department’s work and for recent memorial events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Woburn City Council Committees 5/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city's Veterans Services director said the FY26 veterans budget is largely level‑funded, with rising flag costs reimbursed through the state Chapter 115 program and monthly cash aid averaging about $20,000.","taxTitle","Woburn City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",78425,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220643,"Woburn Public Schools present FY26 budget: $96.4 million request, special education and literacy top priorities",1223,4075000,5298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616694-b14a67ee2c074879eed25622f2d89417&start=4075&end=5298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616694-b14a67ee2c074879eed25622f2d89417/thumbnail_4075000.jpg","/articles/6220643/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Woburn-Public-Schools-present-FY26-budget-964-million-request-special-education-and-literacy-top-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220643-79c03e06682bbfe316806b7255e78e1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164465&Signature=hB34ehwIAaLD8qtdNJVSOyVX849xca~stLcaThL9m1~S0teYJ12Y9Y28CfoslwdPd1Godoi3WoTbQg6JaRusrzXDYUOsM~2OUmapcHSqd3C8Gc58rNpJsKF1rhsX6fN1DJkweCQk7nvmcgkmGUQc3Fq4hmjuya34o6aawwDfUsbguxbRhQW8~QSMucksPQlf2MNaM19qkj3bVX~If-PzN1COhZo4bxvQI3IFyOEakeEFV84WOCvLmF3A~dnUP5jBVvpFEtNu~RI-QRD70I6L9jNXDt1S2KSEhimVXDDCAxY2dITodmHpyTS3SpwGfDSxuzyffGMnWXGpiwDopzUQ9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School leaders and the Woburn School Committee presented the school department’s FY26 budget — $96,402,440 — to the city’s finance committee and described the priorities that funding supports, including literacy, special education and expanded student opportunities.

School Committee Chair Ellen Crowley opened with an overview of district programs, asserting that the budget is “about people” and urging the council not to make further cuts. Superintendent (Dr.) comments and presentations from assistant superintendents and administrators emphasized return on last year’s investments: new reading specialists (K–8), expanded arts and music programming, an early‑college program allowing students to earn up to 12 college credits through UMass Lowell, expanded early‑childhood programming, and facility safety investments including rekeying classroom doors.

The committee said the budget it passed had been reduced by $440,000 from its initial request; staff cited 52 individual line reductions completed after a three‑year line‑item review. School officials said they regularly seek grant funding and move eligible positions into grants where possible.

School finance items that drew council attention included:
- Special education: staff reported a roughly $33 million special‑education budget. Officials described investments that keep students in‑district where possible to avoid higher out‑of‑district tuition costs. Councilors were told that special‑education expenses can spike when new students with complex needs move into district schools.
- Special‑education transportation: the budget reflects a substantial increase tied to the SEAM collaborative’s updated contract rates. Officials said the collaborative remains their primary, cost‑effective vendor but that a rate re‑bid and the resumption of pre‑COVID rate increases led to a one‑time rise in costs.
- Salaries and contractual adjustments: the school administration explained that some salary figures in the budget reflect contract adjustments, stepped increases and internal reassignments; the committee asked for more line‑item backup and a few councilors requested an addendum showing recent contractual changes.

School leaders described how they analyzed and reduced lines in December before submitting the FY26 request, and they asked councilors to consider the district’s strategic investments and recent measurable gains in literacy (measured by DIBELS testing) when evaluating the request. Several councilors said they wanted a more accessible, periodic update cycle (quarterly liaison meetings) and requested an electronic file listing positions and salary roll‑overs ahead of public deliberations.

Councilors also discussed facilities and long‑term capacity, including whether the district could consolidate or repurpose existing buildings (for example to house an expanded early‑childhood program) and the fiscal tradeoffs of renovation vs. new construction. Officials said repurposing a building such as the former Wyman School would raise compliance and accessibility issues and that in‑district programming remains the preferred approach to control special‑education costs.

The school committee plans to continue discussions with the mayor’s office and the council; councilors asked for supplemental documentation (salary roll‑overs, the 52‑line change log, and the opioid fund worksheet mentioned earlier) before further budget votes.","School leaders presented a $96,402,440 FY26 budget to the council, describing prior investments in literacy and arts and outlining special education costs, transportation increases through a SEAM collaborative contract, and staffing adjustments; the school committee asked the council not to reduce further the SLV‑recommended funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220647,"Mayor frames FY26 as a 'maintenance' budget; planning office touts $1.69 million in secured grants and energy‑related grants prompt debate over consultants vs. ",916,1437000,2353000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616694-b14a67ee2c074879eed25622f2d89417&start=1437&end=2353","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616694-b14a67ee2c074879eed25622f2d89417/thumbnail_1437000.jpg","/articles/6220647/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Mayor-frames-FY26-as-a-maintenance-budget-planning-office-touts-169-million-in-secured-grants-and-energyrelated-grants-prompt-debate-over-consultants-vs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220647-f57a63d1546ff421ed7e57d72436fd6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164465&Signature=DAUelhtoN7~XHJCBb-ksIIWi3py0RzWEAaExRITYlK5n0QuLxgo9SsICNNe4gomJbTckTYJm-GQrSWQbtJfGwD1fDjyb1-MNUu4tD87mvY7VpiMpWXjuWKuI6r82PC1U7A4kl4vKizG0akNi8c-JbBSwvNChDFCa7gwtV5IrSonegPs6oBfYJdnBHujB9yNiHmdn0qBTRiUDgpa3P6Zou2nIrduYcbGJFyo1pvyM0AzTa3oHbS685uwNjzjcpLwZk3DOfAckCKZdWhqCA0puqutuXZrnwhvSqjAO376sbC3TRBDkxcELx9iMGymsWoXfER5hoAqeLz6yCRjgrVTjDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Concannon opened the finance committee discussion by describing the FY26 budget theme as a “maintenance year,” and urged the council to expect modest adjustments driven by contractual salary changes and inflation for operating costs.

The mayor and Auditor Charlie Doherty joined early budget talks. The mayor noted salary changes tied to contract settlements and a salary‑adjustment item included for a still‑outstanding union contract. He also flagged that Mackenzie Dzieszick’s position remains fully funded by the National Opioid Settlement fund; councilors asked for a financial worksheet on that opioid fund and for Mackenzie to present to the liaison committee.

Planning Director John Cashel used his presentation to highlight grant activity from a new grant writer, Kevin McDonough. Cashel said McDonough, hired near May of last year, has secured $1,692,605 for Woburn in under a year and has more than $16 million in applications pending. Cashel listed a range of grants across roadway, utility, police, fire and school projects and said the planning office coordinates across departments and with the mayor’s office on grant strategy.

Cashel also reviewed several consultant line items in the planning budget. He said the city is updating its housing production plan and a downtown master plan, and is pursuing a master plan for the Industryplex/New Boston Street area that anticipates future pedestrian access once a commuter‑rail bridge is completed. Cashel said early engineering and design estimates for a pedestrian bridge range from $13 million to $20 million and noted funding and property acquisition would be additional needs.

Councilors pressed about the new grants and staffing. Several members — including Councilors Marissa Bruin and Dimambro — supported the grants but expressed concern about converting grant‑funded roles into long‑term city positions. The planning office and the mayor told councilors that two new energy positions — an “energy advocate” (to help residents access utility programs) and a “municipal energy manager” (to identify energy savings in city buildings) — are funded through utility‑sponsored grants. Councilors repeatedly urged using consultants for the first year rather than hiring full‑time employees because consultants do not trigger city health‑insurance and benefits costs.

Mayor Concannon said the grant agreements can fund consultants or salaried positions and that he leaned toward consultants for the initial year to get programs started. Planning Director Cashel described the interim plan for the energy advocate as an initial consultant role in year one, with the option to hire later years if warranted.

Other planning items discussed included a legacy insurance premium (about $6,000 annually) the Redevelopment Authority pays for a retired executive director, a modest WRA income stream from a negotiated lease at Marlowe Park, and questions from councilors about planning office public hours and staffing coverage when staff attends off‑site meetings.

Councilors requested more frequent updates from planning and the mayor’s office on grant activity and staffing implications so they could better evaluate budget lines that depend on grants or temporary consultant solutions.","Mayor Concannon described FY26 as a 'maintenance year.' Planning director John Cashel reported nearly $1.7 million in grants secured and $16 million pending; councilors pressed staff on staffing, consultant line items and whether two utility‑funded energy positions should be consultants or full‑time hires.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220650,"Council adopts zoning amendment requiring special permits for fast-food outdoor dining",287,1104000,1391000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3616694-b14a67ee2c074879eed25622f2d89417&start=1104&end=1391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3616694-b14a67ee2c074879eed25622f2d89417/thumbnail_1104000.jpg","/articles/6220650/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-adopts-zoning-amendment-requiring-special-permits-for-fast-food-outdoor-dining","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220650-4f2ffd62bc9f1280a016e30c4b0da58d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164465&Signature=WiozNSpig-20USa15qY1bU69txdB6da~2EQPth1Bv4rFuRYPVJCNtPp0YokZp7H4jA69ZoGlPw89q8SrWK9esjjZ8y1c~se8FO~6Zblo10PaNwRSuX0srEu76poy4KVemscPoMxgfV-zdG7i5GNveqaZLml8gIRZVDoETFoM6U2bZv-Bmb6bTcEIbCF7H0-JxSmRPNXmB6NzPiJYC1bgqb4bqH552igpWbqmAj6VilW8l5GS8H6pCWMsfS6pwSDzyT-xRuU~6onmFaP30UhOGzLROXPBG-iJsPLZ8TGAjHCQm-5ng4ZXKsaJJ8iLy98T9nwfdz75Lycl~~m-GLhO3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee on ordinance, charter and rules voted to adopt a zoning amendment requiring most fast‑food restaurants to seek a special permit before adding outdoor seating.

The measure, introduced by the committee chair and discussed with Solicitor Salvati, clarifies that two existing special permits — for Press Café and Starbucks in Reuben Landing — included conditions granting outdoor seating only after council action. The amendment requires other fast‑food establishments without preexisting designated outdoor dining areas to apply for either a major or minor site plan modification and a public hearing before the council.

The ordinance text included procedural details for how restaurants would request major or minor modifications to a site plan and the circumstances under which a special permit would be required. Council members emphasized that a special permit would let the council and staff evaluate safety, parking and zoning compliance; Commissioner Quinn was identified as the official who would perform site visits to confirm feasibility and safety. The ordinance also notes that outdoor alcohol sales would require approval from the licensing commission.

Councilors spoke in favor of the change as a way to support local restaurants while allowing the city to consider public-safety and parking impacts, particularly in larger commercial areas such as the Woburn Mall. After discussion, a motion that the amendment be adopted was made and seconded and carried on a voice vote.

The vote was taken by voice and recorded as “Aye; motion carries.” No roll‑call vote or individual tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The amendment will now be incorporated into the council’s ordinance record for further processing and implementation according to the city’s zoning and permitting procedures.","The Woburn City Council committee on ordinance, charter and rules approved a zoning change that requires fast-food restaurants to seek a special permit for outdoor dining unless they previously received a permit with designated outdoor seating.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Veterans Affairs budget presented as level‑funded; flags reimbursed through Chapter 115 program

Woburn Public Schools present FY26 budget: $96.4 million request, special education and literacy top priorities

Mayor frames FY26 as a 'maintenance' budget; planning office touts $1.69 million in secured grants and energy‑related grants prompt debate over consultants vs.

Council adopts zoning amendment requiring special permits for fast-food outdoor dining