Finance Committee advances Land Use, Community Services and Recreation budgets; town schedules dedication for Wayne Marquis rail-trail park

The Finance Committee reviewed the Land Use and Community Services budgets — inspectional services, public health, planning and economic development, senior and social services, and veterans services — and voted to move the department-level budgets. Committee members then considered the recreation operating budget and approved it.

Inspectional services: The department presented a 7.4% increase overall driven by temporary staffing to address a backlog of periodic inspections. The sealer-and-weights line was reduced to zero after the department purchased new calibration equipment and moved sealing in-house.

Public health: The public-health budget showed a small overall increase (0.72%), driven by contractual obligations for salaries and an operating-expense reduction tied to shifting routine pest-control charges into the public-works budget. The Board of Health is preparing updated body-art (tattoo) regulations in coordination with neighboring communities to harmonize local standards.

Planning and economic development: The planning budget showed a modest increase after trimming low-utilization operating lines as part of townwide balancing measures.

Senior and social services: The department reported a small decrease in salary wages due to turnover and minor operating increases tied to newsletter production and outreach. Committee members clarified language in the packet showing transportation for senior and disabled residents.

Veterans services: The veteran-services budget was level-funded.

Recreation and community events

Recreation Director David Mountain presented a small increase in recreation operating costs (2.75%), driven by contractual salary obligations but offset in part by lower fuel estimates. Mountain announced a dedication event for the new Hobart Street pocket park and rail-trail naming. "On June 14 we will be having a celebration...we will be dedicating the rail trail and unveiling the new signs," Mountain said, inviting the public to a 10 a.m. ceremony followed by a brief reception.

Playground update

Mountain provided an update on the Riverside playground project: the town will accept a $50,000 gift from the parent association and has a $265,000 warrant article for the play structure. If approved, site work and construction are scheduled for July and August so the new playground can open in late summer.

Committee action

The Finance Committee moved the Land Use and Community Services budgets and later moved the recreation budget by voice vote; both motions were recorded as approved.

Speakers quoted in this article include the recreation director David Mountain and department staff who presented the Land Use and Community Services budgets.