Peabody's finance committee recommended and the full council approved a motion to advertise a bond order totaling $2,350,000 to fund a range of capital projects across the city, including roof replacements, park renovations, vehicle and equipment purchases, cemetery expansion and technology upgrades.

Councilor McGinn, chair of the Finance Committee, summarized the request and said it included funds to address a number of projects: roof replacement and mechanical upgrades for municipal buildings, equipment purchases, park improvements and cemetery expansion. The bond order language read into the record listed specific line items including $210,000 for park improvements, $80,000 for equipment, $335,000 for building and mechanical upgrades, $200,000 for cemetery expansion and $60,000 for technology upgrades, for a total of $2,350,000.

Committee members said some items were time-sensitive, particularly roof work and mechanical upgrades at the Council on Aging. The finance committee unanimously recommended advertising the bond order for council consideration. The council then voted by roll call to move the order as advertised; the motion carried 11-0.

Councilors requested that the mayor and director of finance include a capital schedule in the upcoming budget package so the council can see how this bond order interacts with previously approved capital projects.