The Town of Lakeville Park Commission on March 6 approved its fiscal year 2026 budget after commissioners agreed to reduce hourly wages for lifeguards and auxiliary staff and reallocate funds to building repairs.

Commissioner Melissa (park commissioner) said the draft budget no longer includes a previously planned $17,500 selectboard contribution intended to keep a program limited to town residents, and that the commission needed to reflect that shortfall in operating lines. “This next budget does not include the $17,500 from the select board… since that's been removed, I think we need to decrease the salaries of the lifeguards and auxiliary people,” Melissa said.

Melissa proposed removing $12,000 from the lifeguard wage line while keeping auxiliary wages at $7,000 and adding the $12,000 to repairs and maintenance for buildings and grounds to cover an expected $13,000 roof expense at a park building. Peter (Park Commission member) agreed the swap would balance the budget line items and preserve the commission’s overall proposed spending level.

Park Commission member Carrie seconded a motion from Melissa to accept the FY26 park commission budget with the adjustments to lifeguards and repairs and maintenance. The commission voted yes; the motion passed by voice vote.

Commissioners also discussed two office computers budgeted at $3,000 in office supplies. Peter noted the parks office machine needs replacement because it cannot run Windows 11; the second computer is for Clearpond Park operations.

Why it matters: The vote shifts recurring personnel pay into one-time maintenance spending and leaves the commission with a smaller operating payroll pot for seasonal staff. Commissioners said the adjustment reflects both loss of outside funding and known capital needs that must be addressed in FY26.

The commission closed the FY26 budget item after the vote and moved on to other capital and permit items on the agenda.