Sudbury CPC adds $10,000 to FY27 admin budget for rail trail consultant

SUDBURY -- January 21, 2026, Sudbury CPC adds $10,000 to FY27 administrative budget to fund rail trail consultant. The Community Preservation Committee on Wednesday approved a $148,050 FY27 administrative budget, $10,000 above the original draft, to cover roughly 12 hours a week of consulting by Marcia, the part-time planner staffing the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail since 2023. Planning Director Adam Burney said he needs the funding to free up planning-department salary dollars to fill a long-vacant senior planner position. Member Dan Carty objected to the precedent, arguing the consultant should be paid through project warrant articles: "I would much rather pay her as part of the project management funds." Member Andrew Bettinelli cited CPA Section 6, which bars CPA money from replacing "existing operating funds." Chair Sherrill Cline secured passage by making the increase contingent on a town counsel opinion before March 4; if counsel disagrees, the funds revert. The committee also advanced design articles for Broadacre/Featherland at $214,000 and Davis Field at $122,000, both re-voted to fall under the assistant town manager.