The Framingham Division of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs told the finance subcommittee on May 10 that its FY26 operating budget is largely personnel costs and is effectively level‑funded, while requesting a $74,978 small capital package to replace and upgrade field and arena equipment.

Why it matters: Parks and recreation operations deliver year‑round services that affect public access to recreation, senior services and community events. Staffing and operating costs determine program availability, hours and maintenance for facilities such as the Loring Arena and the Callahan Senior Center.

Department head presentation: The parks division said about 75% of the operating request (roughly $3.67 million) goes to staffing, with the remainder funding supplies, energy and small capital. The submission reflected personnel reductions in some senior center lines (the department said a licensed social‑worker role proved difficult to fill and that two previously grant‑funded outreach roles would be replaced with two part‑time programming roles). The Loring Arena budget was unchanged in total but showed a 7% reduction in full‑time pay driven by turnover and hires at lower steps; part‑time costs were projected to rise to cover seasonal operations.

Small capital requests: The division requested $9,975 for a second scoreboard at Loring Arena to improve visibility and safety for all users, particularly deaf athletes, and $65,003 for landscaping and field maintenance equipment (two landscape trailers, a rear‑bagging mower and a stand‑on mower) to maintain fields and parks. The department described these as targeted investments to improve safety and reduce outsourced maintenance costs.

Programming and operations: The Callahan Senior Center operating costs include a new line for transportation (previously grant‑funded), exercise equipment maintenance, outreach and programming; the department framed the transportation line as preserving access primarily for medical appointments. Parks staff also outlined recurring operating costs for maintenance and events (including beach water testing, tree work, seal coating, and the annual Stars & Stripes celebration and farmer’s market). The farmers market line item was included in operating and presented as approximately $36,810 for FY26.

Questions and follow-up: Councilors asked about energy cost allocations (the Callahan Center energy costs sit in the city facilities budget while Loring Arena energy remains in Parks & Rec), organizational consolidations (including whether energy should be centralized in facilities) and capital prioritization. Councilor Cannon pressed the department to coordinate turf and field maintenance responsibilities across departments and suggested a comprehensive capital planning discussion. The parks director said the department will work with other departments and the mayor’s office on a more comprehensive five‑year capital plan.

Revenue and efficiency notes: Parks said its revolving accounts (program fees) fluctuate year to year; the department will provide specific revenue figures on request. The department also said it has been examining synthetic turf options and will bring proposals for council consideration; it noted legal and state legislative activity on turf fields and that any decision should be made with a broad public review.

Ending: The subcommittee did not take a vote on Parks & Rec items on May 10. The department will supply additional revenue figures and participate in planned capital‑planning conversations with the council and the parks commission.