Recreation Commission backs budget submission and support for assistant director amid debate over Summer Nights costs

The Recreation Commission voted on Nov. 6 to submit its operating budget to the town ($200,586 reported) and to support formally asking the personnel board for a title change that would create an assistant director role.

Travis, Recreation staff, presented three budget options: a baseline with standard step and COLA increases (about 5.4%), an intermediate package that addressed event overtime and program needs, and a higher option that included reclassifying the program coordinator to assistant director. Travis argued the assistant director role would strengthen succession and operational resilience: "If Christina were to ever leave, you get a much better applicant pool," he said.

Commissioners discussed Summer Nights, which Travis estimated costs between $20,000 and $25,000 to stage when accounting for fireworks, inflatables, bands and overtime for public-safety coverage. Don, who described himself as the commission's finance voice, pushed back on using general tax support for event overtime and urged creative alternatives: "If you're asking me to contribute $5,000 of my taxes to this as a citizen, I'm going to say find another way," he said, recommending sponsorships or cutting fireworks time.

After discussion commissioners voted to authorize Travis to pursue the personnel-board process and to submit the higher budget so the commission would have time to secure personnel-board approval; members indicated they would advocate for the position at subsequent personnel-board and select-board meetings. The commission also approved the October 20 meeting minutes and adjourned at 9:02 p.m.