Wakefield approves amended budget

By CHARITY SMITH

csmith@yourdailyglobe.com

Wakefield — The Wakefield City Council approved the city’s amended budget to reflect several increases needed for various accounts during a very brief regular meeting on Monday night.

The amended budget included an increase in revenue to reflect the $87,293 the city received from the state through the American Rescue Plan Act.

The Miscellaneous Public Expense Land Purchase/Sale account was also increased by $5,000 to cover a tax payment for the Department of Public Works garage buildings, which was previously approved by the council in lieu of building rent. It also covers delinquent taxes from 2019 and 2020 for the building at 502 Sunday Lake St.

There was an increase to the Major Streets account as well to cover the cost of bridge inspections within the city. The cost has increased as a new bridge inspector was hired to replace the one who retired. The Local Streets account was also increased to cover the cost of bridge inspections.

Some of the library accounts were increased. The grant revenue account was increased to reflect a Library Services and Technology Cares Act grant, as well as a grant to reimburse the purchase of a laptop.

The Electric Department account was increased as a result of the increased cost for a pickup truck the city recently purchased for meter reading.

The Campground Sewer Extension account was increased by $15,000 to cover the cost of finishing the project during this fiscal year. Total estimated cost of the project over two years is $60,000.

The council also:

—Heard from city manager Rob Brown that the city Christmas trees were donated by Becky and Jim Jilek.

—Heard that the fire department is debating on how to handle Santa’s visit this year. The influx of COVID-19 might cause the department to shy away from the planned in-person visit with Santa and revert back to letting the children drop off Santa letters and then deliver Santa’s responses to the children on a fire truck as was done in 2020.

—City offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.