Sunapee Recreation Committee Reviews 2026 Budget, Warrant Article, Fall Fest

The Sunapee Recreation Committee met tonight in the meeting room at 23 Edgemont Rd to review the 2026 budget, discuss a potential warrant article and advance planning for Fall Fest 2026. Committee members focused on budget mechanics, fee policy and partnerships that shape the town's recreation calendar and finances.

Roll call showed a full committee: Nick Grant, Dan Whitmoyer, Brenda Balenger, Scott McNamee, Jamie Bourassa, Ian Kirk and Nicole Cassidy. The agenda opened with approval of the November meeting minutes and provided time for community comment, then shifted into substantive items led by committee staff and members.

Steve led the committee through a budget update that covered In/Out items and key notes, followed by a discussion of the warrant article tied to the 2026 budget. Committee members examined how line items and funding priorities would be presented for voter consideration, and considered the implications for programming and capital needs. The meeting also included an update on the use of late fees, a policy item with direct impact on revenue available for recreation services and enforcement practices.

Fall Fest 2026 was another central topic, with Nicole Cassidy reporting on coordination with SPTO. Planning issues under consideration included event logistics, volunteer support and opportunities for local vendors and families. For a lakeside town like Sunapee, Fall Fest is an anchor event that combines community fundraising with family-friendly programming and local business exposure, so decisions on timing and resource allocation carry both social and financial weight.

The Rec Ordinance Working Group held a discussion on recreational rules and governance that could alter how parks and facilities are used and managed. The committee also turned attention to the student member seat, exploring how a student voice can be integrated into meetings and decision-making. Youth participation could shift priorities toward programs that serve younger residents and bolster intergenerational engagement.

Procedural items and open items rounded out the meeting before adjournment. Practical outcomes to watch for include formal language for any warrant article that may go before town voters and any policy changes on late fees that could change program costs or enforcement practice.

For Sunapee residents, the committee's work means tangible choices ahead about how recreation is funded and run. Those interested in the outcome should monitor future meetings for the warrant article text, updates from the Rec Ordinance Working Group and Fall Fest planning with SPTO, and consider attending to weigh in as the committee moves from discussion to final recommendations.