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Finance Committee hears FY27 budgets for library, public health and capital plan
Summary
The Town of Bedford Finance Committee reviewed FY27 budget proposals Jan. 15, 2026: the library proposed a $1.7 million operating budget; the Board of Health proposed $548,000 (a 2.2% increase); and the CAPEX plan proposed $6.785 million in capital spending, down 47% from last year. The committee adjourned after presentations.
The Town of Bedford Finance Committee met Jan. 15 and reviewed proposed FY27 budgets for the Bedford Free Public Library, the Board of Health and the town’s capital program.
Jaclyn Powers, director of the Bedford Free Public Library, presented the library’s FY27 operating budget totaling $1.7 million. Powers said she is committed to operating within the FY27 budget while outlining a vision for future years that could include updated technology, adjustments to public hours and a small number of new positions.
Heidi Porter, director of the Board of Health (appearing via Zoom), presented the Board’s FY27 budget at $548,000, an increase of about 2.2% over the previous year. Porter told the committee the Board of Health plans to roll out new programs while managing costs and seeking additional grant funding to support expanded services.
Assistant Town Manager Amy Fidalgo and Craig Jackson, chair of the CAPEX Committee, presented the town’s capital budget proposal of $6.785 million for FY27. They said the figure is approximately 47% lower than the prior year, below a $7.0 million guideline and far below a $21.0 million project list. The presentation broke the request down by function—information technology, public safety, Department of Public Works, facilities and schools—and by purchase type, including vehicles, equipment and property rehabilitation. Jackson said the CAPEX Committee met with each budget owner and ranked requests to arrive at the $6.785 million figure and emphasized a commitment to closely managing capital needs in FY27 and beyond.
No meetings attended outside the stated agenda were reported. After the presentations the committee voted to adjourn: Mark Bailey moved to adjourn, Ms. Dunn seconded, and a roll-call vote recorded all members as voting Aye. The meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m.
Materials listed with the minutes include the meeting agenda and backup packets for the FY27 capital, health and library budgets. The minutes were submitted by Finance Committee member Tom Rowan.
