Quimby Fund trustees and Selectmen review 2026 requests for parks, safety gear and planning

Quimby Fund trustees and the Sandwich Board of Selectmen met during a Dec. 30 work session to review 2026 fund requests for parks, emergency equipment and planning.

Trustees outlined a set of proposed uses for the Quimby Fund: replacement of the fire department pontoon boat with an estimated $5,000 cost to the town (the Sandwich Fire Rescue Association will offset some cost and the plan calls for retrofitting a recently purchased engine onto the new boat); a $15,000 request to purchase police tasers that includes subscription services; consulting funding to support the Master Plan Subcommittee in using recent community survey data; and a proposed Quimby Field maintenance allocation reduced to $2,000 based on 2025 expenses.

Mr. Hambrook emphasized the trustees’ interest in keeping Quimby Field as a community space with multiple uses. The board asked for a spring meeting with the Parks and Recreation director to agree on an expected maintenance standard. The board also discussed an increased ongoing parks and recreation request tied to rising program costs and asked about the Parks and Recreation director’s outside employment; the board said the director’s outside work has provided continuity and improved communications for local families and program participants.

Courtney Delaney presented a Parks and Recreation Department building assessment and reported no immediate maintenance needs; trustees may consider facility improvements later depending on available funds. Delaney also relayed trustee feedback about recently placed snow fencing downtown to protect garden gnome plantings and the group discussed modifying the fencing to reduce aesthetic concerns while maintaining driver visibility.

The trustees and board thanked one another at the close of the work session.