Weymouth Faces Budget Challenges Amid Rising Costs, Fire Department Staffing Concerns

Town's $213.5 million FY26 budget includes 4% increase while healthcare costs and future revenue growth pose challenges

WEYMOUTH - May 19 - Weymouth's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget faces significant challenges from rising healthcare costs and anticipated declines in new growth revenue, according to presentations at Monday's Town Council meeting.

Mayor Robert Hedlund and Chief of Staff Ted Langill presented the $213.5 million operating budget, which represents a 4% increase over the current year's spending plan.

"FY26 did become a challenging effort," Langill told councilors. "When I started last year looking ahead, my mind was putting it in position to protect FY27 because I knew FY27 was going to be a very tough year for us."

Those plans changed when healthcare costs came in higher than expected for the second consecutive year, with an 8.3% increase that will likely grow even higher following open enrollment.

"This is the first time we've had back-to-back years with this significant increase," Langill said. "Our highest increase before that was 6%, and that was a lot."

The budget challenges come despite what Hedlund described as a strong financial position compared to neighboring communities.

"The State of the Town is very good," Hedlund said. "If you look at tonight's Patriot Ledger, for instance, or if you're aware of what's happening around the State with some of the neighboring communities, you can probably say that the State of Weymouth is excellent financially."

During the public hearing, Weymouth Firefighters Local 1616 President Jim Young raised concerns about staffing levels and overtime in the fire department.

"We have members that are working 96 hours in a row overtime. That's four 24-hour shifts. It's unprecedented. We've never had anything quite like this," Young said. "We want to know what the plan is for staffing."

Young also expressed concerns about equipment replacement and leadership succession, noting that Fire Chief Keith Stark is leaving in July and the union has received no information about plans to replace him.

Langill defended the administration's record on fire department funding, noting that staffing has increased from the low 80s when the administration took office to 99 firefighters currently.

"There's no argument over the fact that Weymouth should have more firefighters," Langill said. "We can say the same also with police officers and school teachers and many other departments."

He added that the town has funded every front-line equipment replacement and will be hiring three firefighters to replace recent retirees. Langill also announced plans to seek authorization to borrow money for a new tower ladder and engine, though delivery would be several years away due to manufacturing delays.

The Town Council voted to refer the fire safety concerns to the Public Safety Subcommittee for further discussion.

School funding also emerged as a contentious topic during the public hearing. Several residents expressed concerns about cuts to programs and positions.

Ashley Dickerman, Chair of Weymouth Townwide Parent Council, said the school system faces a $1.9 million deficit and has lost librarians, STEAM teachers, assistant principals and IT personnel.

"Unfortunately, Weymouth has never broken the 25th percentile for funding schools, meaning that 75% of districts around us are providing more funding to their school budget than we are," Dickerman said.

Langill countered that the administration has consistently increased school funding, with an average 4.5% annual increase over the past decade.

"We have consistently for 10 years given the schools the great majority of our new revenue," he said. "We have taken our net school spending from the threat of a fine to well over net school spending."

The proposed budget includes a 3% increase for schools, which represents nearly 32% of all new revenue. Fixed costs, including healthcare, retirement and state assessments, account for 43% of new revenue.

Other budget highlights include:

* A trash fee increase of $27 per quarter ($5.30 per week) to help close a gap between collection costs and revenue

* A 9.6% increase in state assessments

* A 4.5% increase in contributory retirement costs

* A $500,000 increase for fire department overtime

* A 2% increase in the water/sewer budget

The budget also includes funding for several major infrastructure projects, including:

* The MWRA water connection application process, which would bring water from the Blue Hills to Weymouth by 2030-31

* The Commercial Street sewer overflow project

* The Wharf Street Pump Station

* Completion of the Wessagusset Walk coastal project

* Improvements to Beals Park

The Town Council's Budget Management Committee, chaired by Councilor Greg Shanahan, continues to review the budget proposal. The committee has already held multiple meetings and will continue its deliberations in the coming weeks.

The next regularly scheduled Town Council meeting will be held Monday, June 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Council chambers.

Full meeting available via WETC.