Commission reviews 2026–27 draft budget; conservation maintenance set at 140 hours

Nick Ferris presented the commission's draft 2026–27 budget and reported no reductions from earlier drafts. The budget lists 140 salary hours for conservation maintenance; Nick and Tom noted most of those hours occur during the growing season for mowing and related tasks. Tom said he tracks his hours and locations to allow the commission to analyze labor distribution.

Members discussed supply budgets and one-time purchases that could be repurposed to cover items such as a bike rack; Ann said she will check a line item that was expected to be removed last year. The commission also discussed postage for a planned spring mailing and agreed to place detailed line-item follow-ups on next month's agenda. The minutes did not record any formal budget approval at the meeting.