Readfield board votes up to $10,000 to preserve Heritage Days, asks for donations to offset cost

The Readfield Select Board voted June 30 to provide up to $10,000 from the select board contingency fund to support this year’s Heritage Days, keeping the fireworks display and adding proposed attractions while reducing the town’s share by any donations received.

Jen, the Heritage Days liaison, outlined options that would keep the event family-focused while lowering long-term costs by buying reusable attractions. “I would like to to respond to the community and what they want,” she said, describing plans for a band, inflatables and an outdoor movie and estimating roughly $3,600 for those additions if fireworks are retained.

Other board members argued for preserving the fireworks as an important tradition and a large draw to town. “I think it’s a really worthwhile expense,” said Katherine, noting the event’s cultural value even as costs rise; the board heard that the fireworks contract this year totaled about $5,600, described in the meeting as roughly 87% of the event budget because the overall budget has been reduced.

Board members discussed fundraising ideas including appeals during Heritage Days, small public donations, reserved parking fees and asking local groups to contribute. Eric Dyer, the town manager, said an up-to-$3,600 allocation for new attractions would come on top of previously budgeted funds, bringing the total Heritage Days commitment to about $10,000 if the board approved the additional spending.

After discussion, a board member moved that the select board “cover Heritage Days up to a total of $10,000 this year using the additional money not budgeted from the select board contingency fund and we’ll reduce it by any donations received.” The motion carried on a voice vote.

Next steps: the board asked staff and the Heritage Days organizers to continue fundraising outreach and to report back on donations and final vendor quotes before the July meeting.