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Bedford committee reviews $2.1 million in FY27 Community Preservation funding requests, sets public hearing
Summary
The Town of Bedford Community Preservation Committee reviewed more than $2.1 million in FY27 project applications — from archival preservation and Town Common work to athletic field and park improvements — confirmed compliance with statutory 10% set‑asides and scheduled a Jan. 22 public hearing to consider recommendations.
Erin Dorr, chair of the Community Preservation Committee, presided over a remote meeting on Jan. 8, 2026 during which the committee reviewed the proposed FY27 budget and a slate of project applications totaling just over $2.1 million.
Amy Fidalgo, assistant town manager, told the committee “there are just over $2.1m in proposed project applications, and $420k in outstanding debt payments,” and said the proposed FY27 budget meets the 10% minimum requirements for open space, affordable housing and historic preservation. She cautioned that FY28 deficits reflect placeholders for future projects that may be reduced as applications are priced.
The applications the committee examined included an archival preservation request to conserve valuation lists (1811–1859) and two volumes of town annual reports (1876–1895); a Town Hall archival‑vault HVAC control unit; rehabilitation and interpretive work for historic properties and signage at about 14 locations; and an application to restore the Madi Lorde sculpture and replace surrounding brick pavers. The committee suggested coordinating archival outreach with the School Department and presenting the archival vault HVAC proposal alongside the archivist’s request at Town Meeting.
Recreation and parks requests included funding to rehabilitate athletic field fencing at Page Field, E Field and A Field; a Phase 1 request to fund survey and engineering work for a Springs Brook Park playing‑field redesign at 171 Springs Road (Phase 2 construction funding to be requested in FY28 to convert fields to soccer); and replacement of exterior lighting for five tennis courts and two basketball courts across from Bedford High School. Robin Steele, committee member, reviewed the Springs Brook Park scope and said the Recreation Commission will pursue Phase 2 next year.
Other projects discussed were a patching and repainting project for the historic interior of the Bedford Free Public Library (last fully repainted in 1999), a Narrow Gauge Art Walk footing phase (with archway pricing pending), and a proposal to rehabilitate historic artifacts for display in the new Fire Station Headquarters at 139 The Great Road; Erin Dorr requested that the Fire Chief confirm the funding request would cover the needed work.
On affordable housing, the committee reviewed the annual contract payment for the Regional Housing Services Office (the town’s affordable housing consultant) and discussed a proposed transfer to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust intended for a future Carlisle Road project. Amy Fidalgo said uncertainty remains about how many affordable units the Carlisle Road developer will provide; committee members therefore kept the transfer neutral rather than tying funds to a specific unit count.
Committee members asked for clarifications on accessibility and design reviews: Lee Vorderer raised ADA access concerns for the Madi Lorde sculpture garden and Ms. Fidalgo said materials would be ADA‑compliant and recommended third‑party review of design work. Lauren Crews confirmed the tennis‑court lighting budget aligns with a five‑court configuration in the vendor quote.
The committee postponed final action and scheduled a public hearing on Jan. 22, 2026 to receive comment on the annual Town Meeting recommendations and to refine funding allocations; presentations to the Select Board and Finance Committee were set for Feb. 9 and Feb. 12, respectively. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that the transcript records as passing (see audit note below on an inconsistency in the recorded tally).
