Woodbridge reports better‑than‑budget year‑end and approves transfers including $290,000 for police pay

The Board of Finance was told July 16 that Woodbridge closed the fiscal year with revenues above budget and approved a set of transfers to cover several department shortfalls.

Tony, the finance director, said the town collected about $772,000 more than budgeted and noted specific surpluses and shortfalls across departments. "We've collected $772,000 more than we spent compared to budget," he said, and credited stronger-than-expected tax and permit revenues — including building permit fees tied to a new solar farm on Race Brook Road — for much of the improvement.

At the meeting the board approved multiple budget moves. It approved transfer 2526‑38, a $290,000 line transfer Tony said will cover police officer salary increases and retroactive pay owed by the town following a recently agreed bargaining contract. The board also approved a $4,800 transfer (2526‑39) to cover a library electricity shortfall and a line transfer (2627‑01) of $19,700 to shift funds to kitchen supplies for the senior center after the town moved to an in‑house meal program.

The board addressed a legal‑fees deficit with a motion to approve funding requests 2526‑36 ($14,000) and 2526‑37 ($73,000), which together would cover $87,000 in higher-than-anticipated Board of Selectmen legal costs. Tony said some legal costs (for example, foreclosure work) may be reimbursed later, but the timing of reimbursements is uncertain.

Board members asked whether some revenue items — notably private‑duty police revenues tied to utility tree work — are likely to recur and whether the town should treat certain surpluses as one‑time. Tony described the private‑duty receipts as "somewhat of an anomaly" tied to specific tree work and other temporarily paid services.

The board approved the motions on the record; the transcript records members saying "all in favor" during each transfer vote but does not include a roll‑call tally.

The board also heard a brief audit update and was told the town received a Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association for 2025 financial reporting. Tony said the new audit firm has streamlined some fieldwork and that the formal audit report is due by Dec. 31.