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Weare parks leaders warn proposed cuts would force reduced hours at Chase Park
Summary
Parks & Rec officials told the Select Board that proposed budget cuts would remove more than half of their operating budget and could limit Chase Park to three days a week, making seasonal hires unlikely and closing the boat ramp when staff are not present.
Parks & Recreation officials told the Weare Select Board on May 18 that recent budget cuts proposed by the board would sharply reduce service hours and make it difficult to hire seasonal workers.
"If we were to accept the board of Select's proposal, we would have lost 57% of our total budget," said Matthew Bealer, chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission. He told the board that the cuts would reduce the department's payroll and could restrict Chase Park to being open only three days a week.
Bealer said the revolving fund created by a 2023 warrant article (RSA 35-B) cannot be used for daily operations or payroll; withdrawals require Select Board approval. The Parks chair warned that with fewer staff on site, the town could not operate the boat ramp or perform necessary registration and safety checks: "We can't operate Chase Park that way," he said.
Chase Park staff described how the cuts would change scheduling and personnel hours, and flagged a risk that experienced seasonal workers might decline to return if their expected hours were cut. The Chase Park supervisor said some returning employees expect roughly 30 hours a week and that cutting shifts could force the commission to hire inexperienced workers.
Board members asked staff to run personnel-hour scenarios and return with options before the next meeting. The board agreed to allow the park to open for the upcoming holiday weekend with limited hours while staff and commissioners reconcile schedules and candidate availability.
