The Parks & Recreation Commission learned during its meeting Tuesday night that parts of the Parks & Rec budget were facing cuts under the town’s budget directives for fiscal year 2026.
Parks & Rec Director Jon Lewitus explained he had received feedback from the town’s chief financial officer and the town manager during early budget discussions.
“Long story short: there are a number of considerations we had to make to cut from the existing budget,” Lewitus said.
“Some of our new requests essentially got denied,” he added.
Existing items recommended to be cut include funding for services at the Town Common, including the annual holiday lights, reimbursement to the Hopkinton Garden Club and maintenance for the Claflin Memorial Fountain.
“I’m disappointed anyone would consider the maintenance as eligible for [these cuts],” remarked chair Dan Terry.
Between existing and new line items, Parks & Rec is being asked to cut around $37,000 from its initial FY 26 budget. According to Lewitus, this would help the department reach a maximum budget increase of 1.4%.
“That 1.4% is pretty much taken all in staff salary,” vice chair Amy O’Donnell noted.
Parks & Rec is asking for an additional $9,144 in personnel expenses for FY 26. Lewitus reported that these increases are cost of living adjustments and step raises.
A major point of concern for commission members was a recommendation to cut $17,000 in financial aid for families in need. Lewitus has pushed for adding the financial aid to the budget so that his department can recoup some of those costs.
Members discussed alternatives should the town reject the financial aid line item in future budget negotiations.
Terry inquired as to whether tacking on a marginal 2% fee to program registrations would help fund aid through Parks & Rec’s revolving fund.
“We priced [our programs] the way we priced them assuming that the $17,000 in financial aid was going to be there,” said Terry. “Maybe we ought to add a little more to the price.”
Lewitus appeared open to this alternative but cautioned about funding financial aid via that route.
“We only have a small cushion in our revolving fund because it’s a zero-balance budget,” he warned.
“It shouldn’t be used for recurring, consistent, year-over-year expense,” added member Kyle Smith.
Lewitus also noted that regardless of approval, he would not turn families in need away from Parks & Rec programs.
Parking lot size for Pyne Field debated
Lewitus provided the commission with updates on the progress of the Pyne Field redesign project. He informed members that the contract with Gale Associates to begin Phase 1 of the project was signed and that a crew would begin surveying the site toward the end of January.
Once the surveying work is done, Gale Associates will develop conceptual plans for two parking lot options at Pyne Field and present them to the commission.
“They did ask … the amount of parking spaces we’re looking for,” said Lewitus. “I told them an absolute minimum of 50 for now, so that’s the baseline we’re working off of.”
The commission debated the number of spots appropriate for Pyne Field and the impact on abutters, using the popularity of different fields in town and activities as reference.
“We probably need to be more in the 75 range,” concluded chair Dan Terry. “You don’t want people creating their own parking spots.”
O’Donnell recommended getting Gale Associates’ perspective on the matter. “While we sit here and guess how many parking spots we need … they may have recommendations,” she said.
After further discussion, the commission directed Lewitus to ask Gale Associates to develop two conceptual parking plans — one with 75 spots and another with 100.
It’s really unfortunate that Parks and Rec is being penny pinched by the town for a measly $37K when the School Committee is most likely passing a $67MM budget this year, which a $4MM increase over last year.