Wilmington Finance Committee Recommends FY27 Budget, Splits on Sewer Transfer and Billboard

WILMINGTON — March 7, 2026 — Wilmington Finance Committee recommends FY27 budget unanimously but splits on sewer fund transfer and Shawsheen Tech feasibility vote. The committee voted Saturday morning, March 7, to recommend the full operating budget as amended by the town manager — including a $900,000 reduction in the Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District assessment tied to lower enrollment — while spending more than an hour on the record criticizing the district's budget presentation for the third consecutive year. Member Scott Neville cited a 7.5 percent jump in Shawsheen Tech salary costs, unanswered questions dating back 55 weeks, and said "it's an attitude and an approach — they're not that concerned about it." A $311,771 free-cash appropriation for a Shawsheen Tech building feasibility study under the Massachusetts School Building Authority passed 6-2, with Neville voting no in protest. A $500,000 free-cash transfer to the sewer enterprise fund to offset emergency repair costs passed 6-1-1, with Chair Theresa Manganelli warning the Water and Sewer Commission may not be able to sustain the enterprise fund through rates alone. The committee also recommended a one-time $65,000 appropriation for Wilmington Community Television, approved a billboard overlay district 4-2-2, and voted to recommend disapproval of articles covering a demolition delay bylaw, a $50,000 community garden feasibility study, and a $7,500 Wilmington Farmers Market subsidy.