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Parks & Rec recommends small 2026 fee increases, adds veteran rate parity
Summary
Commissioners approved a recommendation for modest program and out-of-town rate increases for 2026 and agreed to extend a veteran discount aligned with the senior rate; the recommendation will go to the Board of Selectmen, which sets final rates.
John (speaker 7), presenting the department’s recommended 2026 fee schedule, said the changes are minor and focused on program costs and out-of-town rates. He noted the department added parity so that veterans receive the same concession previously applied to senior citizens. "We did very minor increases… We did the out of town rates just a little bit higher," John said, adding that the commission will forward its recommendation to the Board of Selectmen, which has the statutory authority to set final fees.
Commissioners asked whether capacity constraints would drive larger increases. John identified pickleball as the program with the most pressure and said other facilities, including the pool, were not at capacity. He also reviewed house-rental decisions, saying last year’s rental-rate change left the department well booked and the commission did not further increase house rental fees for 2026.
Questions about nonprofit or weekday rate exceptions drew responses that some weekday negotiations are handled case-by-case and that lawyers are reviewing rental-language where ticketed fundraising events are involved. A motion to approve the commission's fee recommendations was made and carried; the commission will send its recommendation to the Board of Selectmen for final action.
Next steps: Commission transmits fee recommendations to the Board of Selectmen; staff will update the department website and, if approved by the board, apply the new rates for the 2026 season.
