Natural Resources Commission approves budget cuts, defers conservation fund action.
Natural Resources Commission (NRC) · Meeting of January 29, 2026
WELLESLEY — Natural Resources Commission approves FY27 budget cuts, defers conservation fund warrant article. NRC Director Brandon Schmitt and commissioners voted unanimously to reduce the capital budget from $160,500 to $125,000 by trimming tree planting from $60,500 to $40,000 and eliminating $15,000 in parks and sidewalks funding through reserve utilization. Commissioner Michael D'Ortenzio's motion to defer action on the conservation stabilization fund article until fall 2026 also passed unanimously, pending finalization of the conservation plan and free cash certification.
The Commission received a 95 percent feasibility study for the Morses Pond Beach Project showing a revised design and construction cost of just under $6.2 million, with reopening targeted for summer 2029.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 397 words
Source: the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting of January 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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