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Committee considers modest revenue options — pickleball fees, pay‑by‑plate parking and outside details
Summary
As revenues rose modestly, councilors probed small revenue options: charging for pickleball/tennis reservations, using pay‑by‑plate for nonresidents at Broad Cove/Twin Brooks, reviewing outside‑detail event rates, and monetizing hall rentals or farmer’s market opportunities.
During the budget review, finance staff said revenues were up approximately 6.9% year over year, driven in part by higher rescue billing and the bag program. Committee members then discussed a range of modest revenue options to help the town’s bottom line.
Councilors suggested charging fees for structured or reserved pickleball and tennis court use, while staff noted the operational overhead and potential software costs for reservation systems. "If you have to reserve them to and I just don't — I've never used them — so or is it just, like, try to show up?" one councilor asked; staff suggested piggybacking on the golf shop's reservation software as a low‑cost approach.
Parking at Broad Cove and Twin Brooks drew particular attention. Members proposed pay‑by‑plate systems to charge nonresidents while exempting residents with beach stickers. "If you're not a Cumberland resident, do it up," one councilor said, noting the approach could support maintenance costs and reduce taxpayer subsidy for heavy nonresident use.
Outside‑detail billing (police and fire coverage for events such as the fair and horse racing) was also discussed; staff noted rates had been increased in prior years (roughly $100/hour cited for some coverage) and said the departments would review rates again to ensure they cover personnel and equipment costs.
No policy changes were adopted; staff were asked to return with implementation options, projected revenue, and operational costs for reservation software or parking systems.
