Dedham faces $2 million FY28 budget gap

Select Board · Meeting of September 9, 2026

Dedham officials warned the Select Board faces a projected $2 million structural budget gap for fiscal 2028. Town Manager Leon Goodwin said the town has only about $700,000 in excess levy capacity left after using $1.7 million this year, and laid out three options: new fees, service or staff cuts, or a tax override. Member Michelle Persson Reilly proposed a "budget advisory working group" joining the Select Board, School Committee and Finance and Warrant Committee, while member Erin Boles Welsh called the deficit "a slow train moving down the tracks." A tri-board meeting is tentatively set for October 22.

Separately, Director of Finance Brady Winston reported fiscal 2026 revenues came in $3.5 million over budget, and the board approved a Chipotle Mexican Grill license for 762 Providence Highway while continuing an Orchid 7 Fusion Bar and Grill liquor violation hearing to September 24.

In the full story:

• Remembrance of Dave Roberts
• Town Manager's Report: Rat Complaints and the FY28 Budget Deficit
• Fourth-Quarter Budget Report
• Chipotle Mexican Grill Common Victualer License
• Orchid 7 Fusion Bar and Grill Compliance Violation Hearing
• Conservation Commission Update
• Taxation Aid Committee Presentation
• Select Board Policies and Other Procedural Items
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 3,470 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

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