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Committee presses parks and recreation on summer camps, staffing and facility readiness as FY2027 budget is reviewed
Summary
Committee reviewed parks, recreation and zoo portions of the FY2027 budget, pressed staff on summer‑camp capacity (including contingent use of PCTA), staffing (a proposed zookeeper at $60,133), tipping‑fee increases and HVAC upgrades; staff committed to safety trainings and follow‑up data on enrollment and waiting lists.
Members of the Special Committee on Ways and Means spent a large portion of the meeting on the parks, recreation and zoo budgets for FY2027, pressing staff on operational readiness for summer programs, staffing levels and capital improvements.
Clerk (S2) presented the parks budget lines, noting a $40,000 increase in refuse/tipping fees and a $155,000 program‑expense line budgeted to support seasonal programs, field trips and tournaments. "We have a small increase to rubbish removal of $9,300, which is supported by historical trends in additional usage of our facilities," the clerk said, and flagged that some service costs have risen and been allocated to discretionary and fixed categories.
The zoo’s proposed FY2027 budget was presented at $4,075,167, a $276,320 increase from the FY2026 figure shown in the materials. Staff said the department is proposing one additional zookeeper with an annual salary of $60,133 to support new exhibits; committee members questioned whether a single hire will be adequate as the zoo expands.
On summer camps and staffing, Deputy/Staff (S11) and Director (S6) reported that overall enrollments are higher than last year (which had constrained allotments), and that one center (Jocelyn) is projected to be closed for the season but campers will be redistributed to other centers. Committee members repeatedly raised the importance of securing space at PCTA for sports camps; staff said PCTA remains a preferred but not guaranteed site and enrollment projections would decline if that facility is unavailable.
Members also asked about overtime paid to nonunion parks employees and whether some job titles have "morphed" to absorb additional responsibilities. Director (S6) said titles have changed over time and that some overtime reflects event coverage and extended hours; the administration has moved some step/performance increases into a non‑departmental attrition pool to make distribution more equitable.
Committee members sought data on applicant pools and the summer waiting list; staff said they would provide last year’s hiring and waiting‑list figures. The director also committed to a staff training plan (including active‑shooter training and summer refresher sessions) and to returning to the committee with a concrete timeline within the next few weeks.
On facilities, members asked for an update on HVAC repairs and capital projects. Clerk (S2) and Director (S6) said several rec centers are in the capital/improvements pipeline funded by CPF/ARPA dollars and that many projects are targeted for completion over the spring and summer, with some work expected to be substantially complete by October. Pools and splash pads were projected to open on June 29, subject to construction and operational readiness.
The committee recorded praise for parks staff, highlighted the Wood Depot’s reuse work and requested follow‑up data on youth hires, camp waiting lists and a plan for safety trainings. Several procedural exhibits were entered into the record and the committee moved to continue items 1 through 6 at the meeting’s close.
