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Parade committee asks town to cover $1,600 band fee; council to consider in budget review
Summary
Co‑chairs of the town parade committee requested a one‑time increase to hire a band for the Memorial Day parade; the council asked the committee to submit a formal FY26 budget request and said the town could consider covering $1,600 from surplus funds during April budget deliberations.
Parade committee leaders told the Town Council they lack enough budget to hire a second band for the Memorial Day parade and asked the council to consider one‑time funding. Councilors said they would review a formal request during upcoming budget deliberations.
Mary Ellen Madsen, recently elected co‑chair of the parade committee, told the council the band the committee hopes to hire — the Providence drum troupe — charges $1,600 for the service. She said the town provides a $1,000 contribution per parade and that the committee’s existing annual funding does not cover the full band cost.
Councilors and staff encouraged the parade committee to submit a formal FY26 budget request. Town Manager Ralph said the council could consider the $1,600 request during the April 28 budget deliberations and that finding $1,600 from the current surplus “would not be a heavy lift.” Councilors noted concerns about setting precedent for future requests but also emphasized the parade’s community value.
Committee co‑chair Brian (last name not stated) and other speakers described operational details — the committee aims to have music for the full parade route to Elm Grove Cemetery and expects more participants than just school groups. Councilors suggested the committee pursue sponsorships and include a detailed budget in its formal request.
The council did not approve funding at the meeting; members asked the parade committee to submit their formal request for consideration during the FY26 budgeting process.
