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Selectmen weigh cuts to beaches, programs and arena support as fireworks contract and Pop Whelan subsidy rise
Summary
Department heads told the board they could absorb several proposed reductions but warned cuts to beaches, programs and Pop Whelan arena support would affect services; the fireworks contractor increased its price after the budget submission.
Parks and recreation staff and the Pop Whelan Arena representative described program and facility budgets the board may need to trim to close the 2025 default budget gap, and selectmen discussed the fireworks contract and the mechanics of the Pop Whelan subsidy.
Parks Director Christine (last name not specified) reviewed beaches and program lines that the administration proposed reducing—$50,000 for beaches and $30,000 for programs—based on five‑year averages and staffing shortages. She warned staffing limits could constrain program offerings and said Brewster Beach requires lifeguard coverage per a lease with Brewster Academy.
On recreation staffing and Pop Whelan Arena support, staff explained the town records a periodic subsidy to the arena as revenue to that enterprise fund (the presentation cited an example of roughly $100,000 in town support entering the arena’s revenue lines). Town staff said that if the town reduces that support, the arena would either need to cut expenses, raise revenues or draw on enterprise fund balances; such changes would show as enterprise operating deficits if no offset is provided.
The fireworks contract was raised as an out‑of‑cycle cost: parks staff said the fireworks budget line in the default is $13,000 but a contract renewal increased the vendor price to about $17,400. Staff noted additional overtime costs for police and fire on event days (police roughly $9,000; fire roughly $7,000) and asked the board to consider where to find the additional funds if the town continues the display.
Public comment: Mary DeVries, representing the Chamber of Commerce, urged the board not to remove the town’s part‑time information booth position (a town‑paid wage line placed inside the chamber’s rented space). She said the role is “an extremely dedicated person” and that the position supports marketing and visitor services.
No final funding decisions were made; the board directed staff to include detailed transfer documents for the April meetings so selectmen can decide which items to restore or cut.
