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Select Board reviews 37‑article draft warrant; DPW campus feasibility study may raise median tax bill about $2,000 over four years
Summary
Executive Director Meghan Jop presented a 37‑article draft Annual Town Meeting warrant and outlined a DPW campus feasibility study that is part of a broader 10–15 year capital planning effort; preliminary estimates suggest major projects could raise the median tax bill by roughly $2,000 over four years, and the board requested more transparency and a Town‑wide Facilities Master Plan.
The Wellesley Select Board on Jan. 6 reviewed a 37‑article draft Annual Town Meeting warrant and spent considerable time on capital planning priorities, including a feasibility study for a proposed Department of Public Works campus that town staff say fits into a broader 10–15 year capital plan.
Executive Director Meghan Jop said the warrant — currently under Town Counsel review — contains 37 articles, which she described as the shortest warrant in recent memory. She outlined that several articles are carryovers and that the board had already discussed supplemental appropriations and the omnibus budget split.
On the DPW campus feasibility study, Ms. Jop said the study is part of a town‑wide approach to capital planning, with planned feasibility work for fire stations and preliminary conversations about school buildings. Preliminary estimates presented at the meeting suggested major projects within this planning framework could increase the median tax bill by approximately $2,000 over a four‑year period. Board members stressed the need for transparency about cumulative tax impacts and operational cost increases and agreed the town needs a Town‑wide Facilities Master Plan. The board identified further joint meetings with committees including the Board of Public Works, the Natural Resources Commission (for land conservation financing), the Planning Board (for zoning matters), and the Human Resources Board (for financial implications of HR policies).
Ms. Jop also announced scheduling updates: the Town‑wide Financial Plan presentation to Advisory was moved to Feb. 25 to allow finalization of health insurance numbers, and she reminded residents of nomination and permit deadlines discussed earlier in the meeting.
