Parks, cemeteries and golf operations draw praise and close scrutiny as council trims a few line items

Commissioner Murphy (Department of Natural Resources) described the parks, cemetery and golf budgets for FY27 and highlighted program work from tree planting to shoreline restoration. He said the Furnace Brook Golf Course generated approximately $1.4 million in revenue in FY26 and is projected to produce a net operating surplus (roughly $350,000), in part due to new simulators and increased year‑round programming.

Murphy also outlined operational pressures in the cemetery division: two open positions (a mason and a heavy machine‑operator), overtime driven by Saturday funerals and seasonal event preparation, and recent role consolidations under the 11‑39 contract that promoted labor‑gardener roles into maintenance positions. He told councilors the cemetery receives hundreds of annual interments and that machine operators are essential to core functions such as grave excavations.

Councilors debated multiple proposed line‑item cuts. A motion to reduce the tool‑allowance line was passed after the commissioner said the department could absorb the reduction. A separate motion to eliminate a heavy MEO position prompted extended debate about union rules and operational risk and failed on roll call. Councilors asked for a staffing chart comparing FY26 and FY27 positions and for clearer accounting of stipend and overtime costs; Murphy and finance staff agreed to provide the requested documents.

On workforce retention, the council discussed a newly negotiated CDL/hoisting stipend (the contract provides $5 per hour for CDL and $1 per hour for a hoisting license). Murphy said the stipend is aimed at retaining and recruiting licensed machine operators and that DPW is working on in‑house CDL training to lower licensing costs for employees.

After debate, the council approved the Natural Resources budget as amended and recorded roll‑call votes on several line items.