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Parks department says layoffs cut staffing and will reduce events and some services; public commenter urged restoration
Summary
Parks, Recreation & Waterfront officials told the Board of Finance they lost staff in a recent reduction in force and will eliminate some events, close or end leases on certain spaces and curtail adult programming; a longtime parks professional urged the city to restore positions during public comment.
Derek Roche, division director for parks and central facilities, told the Board of Finance on May 14 that Burlington’s Parks, Recreation & Waterfront (PPRW) department sustained multiple layoffs and is planning service reductions to close the FY26 budget gap.
"Prior to the reductions, we'd had 70 individuals that were the PPRW... comprised of 65 full time and 5 part time staff. Following the RIF, we will have 59 full time and 3 part time staff," Roche said, summarizing staffing before and after the recent reductions in force.
Why it matters: Roche and colleagues said the cuts will reduce the department’s capacity to run events, adult programs and some facility operations. The department flagged ending the…
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