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.

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.