Finance Panel Reviews FY27 Budget, Cuts Surface Citywide

Select Board · Meeting of June 11, 2026

Beverly's Finance and Property Committee reviewed FY27 department budgets that cut library hours and staff citywide. Library Director Allison Babin said the Farms Branch will go from 52 to 33 weekly hours, saving $80,000 by cutting one full-time position, while touting a "$3.01 in services" return for every tax dollar invested in the library. City Solicitor Beth Oldmixon presented a $540,000 budget with attorney staffing down to two and a half from three.

Police Chief Lasher said the department's 74 officers already trail FBI-recommended staffing of 85 to 90 for a city Beverly's size, with overtime running $1.1 million against a $930,000 budget line. Commissioner Mike Collins said Public Services is losing three more positions, calling ongoing cuts "a plug in the hole" rather than a real fix. Councilor St. Hilaire argued the council should cut City Hall renovation spending and consultants "way before I cut a library."

In the full story:

• Agenda Scheduling Dispute
• Library Budget
• Solicitor's Office Budget
• Police Department Budget
• Parks and Recreation and Public Services, Including Enterprise Funds
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,577 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of June 11, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.