Easton Board of Finance approves $96,000 in field equipment and $50,000 for playground replacement

The Easton Board of Finance on March 4 approved two Park & Recreation capital expenditures, authorizing $96,000 from the Field Use Fund for field‑maintenance equipment and $50,000 from the Activity Fund for an ECD playground replacement.

The board voted 6‑0 to use P&R Field Use Fund money to purchase a 96‑inch Toro mower ($46,000), a Sand Pro 5040 ($35,000) and to allocate $15,000 to level/repair an ECD baseball field. The motion was moved by Ira Kaplan and seconded by Josh Bailey. Later in the meeting the board voted 6‑0 on a separate motion by Mike Gutowski, seconded by Colin Cote, to use the P&R Activity Fund to finance a $50,000 playground replacement at the ECD site.

Park & Recreation Director Lisa Farasciano and Conservation Commission Chair Danielle Alves presented the capital requests and answered questions about operating impacts, overtime and seasonal staffing. Board member Ira Kaplan suggested increasing field‑use rates to raise revenue for future maintenance. The board temporarily appointed alternate Joe Glavan to sit in for Jackie Kaufman during a brief Zoom disconnection; that appointment passed 5‑0 and Kaufman later resumed her seat.

Board members did not request amendments to the equipment or playground motions and asked staff to provide any written activity‑fund and field‑use policies that govern those accounts. The board called a five‑minute recess during consideration of these items and returned to complete the votes.

The board adjourned after considering the remaining budget items. The next special meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2026.