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North Berwick budget committee approves parks, police and town report funding
Summary
At its Feb. 25 meeting the North Berwick Budget Committee unanimously approved Parks & Recreation and Police budget articles, authorized a police cruiser purchase, and increased the town reports printing appropriation after a higher bid; all votes were 12-0.
The North Berwick Budget Committee voted unanimously on Feb. 25, 2026, to approve a series of budget articles covering parks and recreation, police operations and capital purchases, and a revised appropriation for town reports.
The approvals included Article 34, a $186,675 operating package for Parks & Recreation (including $12,500 from the Undesignated Fund Balance and $25,000 in summer camp fees) allocating $138,365 for Parks & Recreation operations; $35,810 for the Community Center; $7,500 for Mill Field operation; and $5,000 for the Mill Field festival. The committee also approved Article 35, a $26,000 capital allocation from impact fees — $10,000 for Bruce Abbott Park and $16,000 for the Community Center.
Chairperson Rebecca Reed read the articles aloud. The motions to pass the parks articles were moved by Gregg Drew and seconded by Julie Fernee; each passed on a 12-0 vote.
On the public safety front, the committee approved Article 16 for the Police Department and Animal Control. The transcript records amended line items for the police department within the motion text; the final stated total approved was $1,512,140, with $20,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance, $10,000 from a Designated Fund Balance and dog fees listed for Animal Control. The committee also approved Article 17, a capital allocation of $88,448 from Undesignated Fund Balance to fund a police cruiser and to allow the Select Board to authorize purchase prior to the start of the fiscal year. Both police-related motions were moved by Gregg Drew, seconded by Julie Fernee, and passed 12-0.
During additional business, Dwayne Morin asked the committee to reconsider Article 28 (Town Reports) after receiving a printing bid higher than anticipated. The committee approved increasing the appropriation from $5,500 to $6,500 to cover printing costs; the motion was made by Gregg Drew, seconded by Julie Fernee and passed 12-0.
The committee reviewed upcoming meeting dates and topics, setting Wednesday, March 4, 2026, for Library, Rescue and Social/Outside Agencies, with a tentative March 11 meeting if needed. Gregg Drew moved to adjourn at 8:31 p.m.; Stephanie Camire seconded and the motion passed 12-0. The minutes were signed by Stenographer Bonnie Michaud.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of Feb. 18, 2026 minutes: moved by Gregg Drew; seconded by Mark Rouillard; vote 12-0. - Article 34 — Parks & Recreation (operating): $186,675; funding $12,500 Undesignated Fund Balance, $25,000 summer camp fees; passed 12-0. - Article 35 — Parks & Recreation (capital from impact fees): $26,000; Bruce Abbott Park $10,000, Community Center $16,000; passed 12-0. - Article 16 — Police Department & Animal Control: final stated total $1,512,140; passed 12-0 (transcript includes amended line-item figures noted in meeting text). - Article 17 — Police cruiser (capital): $88,448 from Undesignated Fund Balance; authorizes Select Board to purchase prior to fiscal year; passed 12-0. - Article 28 — Town Reports: increased from $5,500 to $6,500 to cover higher printing bid; passed 12-0.
The meeting record contains the committee’s formal votes and the line-item allocations above. Where the transcript shows amended figures within a motion (notably for the police article), the article text reports the final stated totals as read during the meeting and flags the amended figures in the meeting record rather than attempting to reconcile internal edits.
