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Hampstead Recreation Commission identifies $7,798.84 in department cuts; lifeguard reductions remain to close gap
Summary
Commissioners outlined $7,798.84 in required department reductions, including proposed line‑item cuts and a reduced senior trip budget; roughly $1,398 remains to be cut from the lifeguard allocation.
At its March 16 meeting, the Hampstead Recreation Commission reviewed department budget changes and identified $7,798.84 in cuts needed to meet targets.
Commissioners reported that the senior trip budget had been reduced from $11,100 to $10,100 after one trip was canceled. Town representatives and commission members discussed candidate reductions to reach the required $7,798.84 in cuts: $1,600 from athletic supplies, $1,600 from transportation, $1,000 from senior trips and $2,000 from the holiday dinner line. That breakdown leaves about $1,398 to be reduced from the lifeguard budget to meet the total required cut.
Town representatives told commissioners that salary increases for lifeguards had already been accounted for in the budget and that remaining cuts would need careful consideration to avoid undermining staffing levels. Commissioners did not adopt a final package of cuts at the meeting and directed staff to identify specific lifeguard adjustments and return with options.
The commission concluded its meeting by discussing facility maintenance priorities in the context of constrained funds, including fencing repairs at Holiday Lane and cleaning and lighting at Memorial Gym. Sara Arroyo moved to adjourn; Erin Pellegrini seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: staff will return to a future meeting with options for the remaining lifeguard cuts and a prioritized list of maintenance projects tied to available funds.
