At a short meeting Tuesday night, the Parks & Recreation Commission accepted a donation to fund the annual holiday lights at Town Common and discussed handling the program in future budgets.

Lewitus began the conversation explaining that a crowdfunding effort led by Hopkinton resident Juanita Hanson had surpassed its $10,000 goal to fund the lights.

“She did a fantastic job raising a lot of money in a short amount of time,” said Lewitus.

The money raised will cover paying a contractor for the installation of the lights. While the lights have been a recurring line item in the Parks & Rec budget, the department was advised during budget negotiations for fiscal year 2026 to cut the program. 

At that point, the contractor’s estimate for installation had increased from $9,500 to $14,000. However, it offered to do the lights again this year for the lower price.

Lewitus informed the commission that,given public feedback, he has included the $14,000 line item in the fiscal year 2027 budget. He also explained to members that he had talked with the Town Manager and the town’s chief financial officer about handing the lights off to another department.

“They had brought up the question if we want to turn this over to the new economic development department,” said Lewitus. 

“I think the reason they asked is that it would keep our budget request to the … cap of what it was supposed to be for FY 27,” he clarified.

Commission members were not on board with the notion of moving the program to another department. 

“The town cut this piece of the budget, the people in the town were frustrated by that [and] they raised the funds,” said member Amy O’Donnell. “I think either the town recognizes that this is something the people are interested in or the town says we can’t afford it.”

Chair Dan Terry also voiced disinterest. “I actually resent the shell game … because it’s a zero-sum game to the taxpayer,” he said. “Either way, the burden on the taxpayer’s the same.”

Added Terry: “It’s shenanigans.”

Following an agreement to maintain the holiday lights as a line item in the Parks & Rec budget, members voted unanimously to accept the $10,915.32 donation from the crowdfunding campaign. The next step is for the donation to receive approval by the Select Board on Thursday.

Pyne Field process to continue

Lewitus touched base with the commission on the progress of the Pyne Field project as it undergoes review by the Planning Board. He noted the board continued its discussion of the plan until Dec. 16 at his request.

He explained that both his department and Gale Associates had received the peer review for the plan just before Thanksgiving and more time was needed to go through it.

The Parks & Rec Commission has been discussing the future of Pyne Field in recent meetings given feedback from the Planning Board about the safety of the plan. Ballooning funding requests, safety concerns and potential costs for redesign have thrown the future of the project into question.

Lewitus stated that funding the project is a “major issue.” The current price tag for Pyne Field’s redevelopment sits at $1,939,000 — almost double the original estimate. At a previous meeting, Lewitus shared that a redesign could push the project to $2.75 million.

Terry said that the cost to maintain the fields remains a hurdle for the project as well. Current plans anticipate funding field upkeep through user fees. Whether that model can be sustainable is a question the commission has considered throughout the redevelopment process.

Lewitus shared that he had discussed the maintenance concerns for Pyne Field with town officials and that there was a possibility some of those costs could be incorporated into the town budget.

“Maybe we could cover irrigation costs, but the full bill to maintain this field would not be covered by the town budget,” he said.

“I do have concerns about breaking even on this field, and it’s pretty clear that we will have to do that at least,” Lewitus added.

Despite the uncertainty, commission members agreed it was best to continue on with the current iteration of the Pyne Field design. 

“In spite of the fact that there’s a few major obstacles, we’re going to continue — without spending any additional money — because we’re kind of at that point,” explained Terry. “Full speed ahead, but don’t spend any more money.”

Lewitus agreed to continue the process with the Planning Board and to send commission members copies of the peer review documents.