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Oak Grove Farm commission seeks $2,000 increase to maintain trails, fields and playground
Summary
Oak Grove Farm Commission requested a modest $2,000 budget increase to support maintenance of 108‑acre Oak Grove Farm — including trails, three athletic fields, playground and children's garden — citing rising costs for materials, parts and occasional contracted skilled labor.
The Oak Grove Farm Commission told the Millis Finance Committee on Wednesday that it seeks a $2,000 increase to its regular budget to maintain the town’s 108‑acre Oak Grove Farm property, citing higher prices for supplies and occasional contracted work.
Commission spokesperson John McNeur described the property as roughly 108 acres with about seven acres of athletic fields, a playground, a children’s garden, roughly two miles of recreation trails and two parking lots holding about 100 cars. The commission maintains turf, trails, trail infrastructure (bridges and boardwalks) and playground surfacing.
McNeur summarized accomplishments — completion of a two‑year trail renovation project, new trail posts and maps, playground fiber chip replenishment and field renovation — and said materials (fiber chips, gravel, playground parts) and skilled labor costs have increased. The commission said much maintenance is volunteer labor but that some items require paid contractors and equipment.
The commission asked the committee to consider a $2,000 increase to the annual operating line to keep up with maintenance needs; members also discussed simple revenue ideas, such as adding a QR code on site to accept donations to an existing gift fund rather than installing an unattended cash box. The commission said it already accepts donations through the town’s gift fund process.
Finance Committee members thanked the commission for the presentation and noted the heavy volunteer contribution to the site’s upkeep.
No vote on the request was recorded at the meeting; the commission said it will pursue modest revenue enhancements while seeking the increased appropriation through the normal budgeting process.
