Athletic committee seeks higher 2026 appropriation; select board orders recreation revolving fund policy

Danielle Brown, speaking for the Athletic Committee, asked the Select Board for $24,369 in tax-appropriated funds for 2026, roughly a 13% rise over 2025, attributing the increase to higher league fees, supply and referee costs. "That is about a 13 percent increase just over, from the tax appropriated funds that we had in 2025," Brown said.

Committee chair Jerry Brooks explained that most referee fees are set by leagues and have risen about 20% in recent years; he said the committee has been drawing on a revolving fund as needed and warned that continued draws without replenishment will exhaust reserves. Brooks described the revolving fund as user-fee supported and said the committee has tapped it for large purchases such as soccer goals.

Why it matters: the committee said reductions in earlier years and rising costs threaten program continuity and volunteer capacity, and the board agreed a clearer policy on revolving-fund uses would help preserve continuity as committee membership changes.

After discussion the board voted to direct the town administrator to draft a recreation revolving fund policy that would define allowable uses and provide consistent administration and oversight. The motion carried unanimously. Board members also recommended the athletic committee consider an expendable trust fund for long-term capital purchases and to pursue local sponsorships where allowable.

What's next: the town administrator and finance staff will work with the athletic committee to craft a policy for board review; any changes to funding levels will be addressed during the 2026 budget process.