Council advances second reading of park donation fund, tables third reading pending research

During the Dec. 29 meeting the council held the second reading of Ordinance 2025‑15 to establish a nonreverting park donation fund and discussed confusion about an existing fund already on the town's books. Councilors asked the clerk and staff to search historical records and prior ordinances to confirm the fund's original establishment and permissible uses before any third reading or adoption.

Council members discussed separating community center rental income and fund activity from the park nonreverting capital fund, saying the community center revenue should be tracked in a separate fund for that facility. The motion to adopt the ordinance on second reading carried by voice vote; council postponed any further action until staff locates prior ordinances and clarifies how $19,000 in donations and $10,647 in 2025 expenditures had been used.

The council ordered staff to bring back corrected minutes and a clear recommendation on fund structure at the Jan. 12 meeting.