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Committee weighs cuts to Night of Lights as Rec director warns of lasting service impacts
Summary
Town staff and the recreation director offered options to reduce recreation costs, including cutting the Night of Lights event or scaling back summer programs; a straw poll supported the presented Rec budget 4-1, and the committee discussed the role of Fryeburg Rec Inc. in funding.
Katie Haley and Rec Director Rick Buzzell presented the Recreation Department budget and outlined short- and long-term options to reduce spending. They discussed potentially eliminating the Night of Lights event and narrowing the scope of summer recreation programs to lower payroll and overtime costs.
Buzzell said staff frequently donate hours to run programs and cautioned that reducing services would be "a 1-year band aid with a lasting impact on services." Committee members debated whether the town or Fryeburg Rec Inc. should absorb additional costs; Buzzell clarified that building rental fees go to Rec Inc., while field rental fees go to the Town.
Price took a straw poll on support for the Rec budget as presented; the board indicated support by a 4-1 vote, with Jacob Stenger opposed. The committee asked staff to continue identifying possible reductions that minimize lasting service loss.
