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Town of Wayne reviews 2025–26 draft budget, debates staffing and roads reserves
Summary
Select Board reviewed a draft 2025–26 municipal budget presented by town staff, debating pay for a proposed bookkeeper, whether to combine treasurer and tax collector roles, health-insurance assumptions, and the scale and timing of road capital spending.
The Town of Wayne Select Board met April 29 and spent the bulk of its session reviewing a draft 2025–26 municipal budget presented by town staff. The board discussed proposed new staffing lines, health insurance assumptions for 2026, and the scale and priority of road capital projects and reserve balances.
Town staff member Shannon walked the board through the draft budget, saying the proposed bookkeeper line reflects a part-time role (12 hours per week) at about $22 per hour and a projected annual cost of $13,728. Shannon said the bookkeeper would handle accounts payable and payroll and provide checks-and-balances alongside the treasurer.
Board members debated whether to combine the tax collector and treasurer into a single position. Shannon reported that combining the two lines as currently drafted would total about $39,001.48 (which she described as a $23.53 hourly equivalent for a 32-hour week). Board members also referenced alternate figures discussed during the meeting—one estimate of roughly $15,000 versus an existing $4,000 treasurer line—but there was no formal action to set a final salary or structure.
Health insurance for 2026 was flagged as an unknown cost; Shannon said the budget does not yet include a specific estimate for an anticipated increase effective Jan. 1, 2026, and she will model options, including the effect if an employee opts out and the town realizes 50% savings on that employee’s share.
Roads and capital projects drew extended discussion. Shannon reported the capital reserves balance for roads is about $469,000. She recapped a set of project estimates discussed earlier and said the town had received quotes that placed near-term work in a broad range that could leave a funding gap; staff said a $600,000 ballpark for this year’s identified work had been discussed and that additional work could require further funding in the next fiscal year. Board members asked for a clear, itemized roads plan showing specific projects, costs, and timing so voters can see how reserve balances and any proposed rate changes relate to identified needs.
Other budget details discussed included election staffing and costs (based on historical staffing and pay rates), increases in public safety costs (ambulance and dispatch), winter salt budgeting, and a proposed $2,500-per-year capital reserve for the lab/rec center tennis courts over five years (a $25,000 target). Shannon said she will return to the board with corrected Trio figures, a capital-reserve balance display for each reserve account, a roads plan with costs and timing, and updated health-insurance numbers ahead of the next Select Board meeting.
No formal budget votes were taken at the meeting; board members directed staff to prepare the additional materials and clarified the Select Board’s preference to see a project-by-project capital improvements plan in time for discussions before town meeting.
