Webster proposed budget up 6.5%

Webster residents will vote in March on an operating budget of $1.94 million, a 6.5% increase from this past year.

Much of the budget increase comes from hiring personnel.

“Across the board, people cost more money,” said David Hemenway, Webster’s select board chair, during Monday’s sparsely attended budget public hearing. “You'll see this in all the lines that are related such as pay and insurance. This is seen especially in the police.”

Webster currently has one full-time police officer and is looking to bring on another to restore the department’s previous staffing levels. The town is also hiring a code enforcement officer.

Rising costs in solid waste disposal are also adding to the budget, along with requests from the fire department. They’re seeking more funding to keep up with steep inflation in emergency vehicle prices and to ensure there’s enough money set aside if a replacement vehicle is needed.

Meanwhile, Webster is also on the hook for a costly environmental cleanup of “forever chemicals” at the transfer station it shares with Hopkinton. The town’s share of closing the contaminated septage lagoons stands at $1 million — about 25% of the total cost.