The Needham Finance Committee on Dec. 3 began FY27 department budget hearings, reviewing modest requests from the Historical Commission, Commission on Disabilities and Memorial Park Trustees.

Historical Commission: The commission requested a flat FY27 budget of $525 to cover required mailings and abutter notices for demolition-delay hearings and occasional outreach. Miles (representing the commission) said these funds are used primarily for legal notices and occasional outreach; committee members noted the commission has returned funds in past years and asked whether a reserve fund transfer could cover unexpected costs.

Commission on Disabilities: Committee members reviewed the commission’s FY27 request of $4,050, an increase of $1,500 from FY26. The increase is intended to raise the committee liaison stipend from $1,500 to $3,000 to align with updated town policy for compensation of employee liaisons who perform work outside normal duties. The liaison confirmed the stipend change reflects a town-wide policy update and that service costs otherwise remain level-funded.

Memorial Park Trustees: The trustees requested a $250 increase to raise their FY27 operating request from $2,000 to $2,250. Trustees said the increase will cover higher flag replacement costs and minor repairs performed by the trustees separate from DPW maintenance.

The Finance Committee will continue FY27 departmental hearings at its Dec. 10 meeting.