The foreclosed property on Cottage Avenue was a focal point of discussion. With no bids received during the 15-minute auction and the minimum bid set at $5,000, the board considered holding a second auction if interest from potential buyers emerged. The possibility of budgeting for the demolition and cleanup of the property was debated, should it remain in town ownership. Notices had been sent to all abutters, and the board remained open to inquiries.

The board moved on to propose new general bylaws aimed at regulating tag sales, differentiating between personal, community, and estate sales, and requiring permits from the town clerk’s office. The rationale behind this was to establish a uniform process, as Southampton was among the minority of towns without such a bylaw. Concerns were raised about the impact on the community and the definitions distinguishing tag sales from estate sales.

Another point of contention arose from a proposed bylaw change concerning the composition of the board of registrars. Members debated the representation of unenrolled voters and the discrepancy between their community percentage and the appointment process’s representation. The board clarified that the requirement was based on state guidelines and did not preclude unenrolled persons from coming forward, although they acknowledged the current process’s potential limitations.

The discussion expanded to include warrant articles for the upcoming town meeting, such as financial articles, land acquisition, transfers, bylaw changes, Community Preservation Committee (CPC) articles, and zoning amendments. The need to replenish funds borrowed for the Hampshire Regional budget, the requirement for ADA-compliant bathroom doors, and potential budget adjustments based on current spending were also discussed.

The board’s attention then turned to the budget. The discussion centered on current revenues and expenses, highlighting a reduction in wages for dispatch services and the need to plan for future expenses related to grants. The topic of Enterprise funds surfaced, particularly regarding the transfer station and the potential transfer of the monitoring fee into the general budget to reflect actual expenses. The creation of a revolving fund for the Board of Health was mentioned, along with the need to understand the debt coming off the books. A joint budget meeting with the finance committee was scheduled to address these concerns and to hear a presentation from Hampshire Regional on their budget.

Updates on the Public Safety Building Committee’s activities were given, including the appraisal for potential land and the scheduling of a public information meeting. The ongoing negotiations for the land acquisition of 89 Clark Street were also discussed, with an optimistic tone about reaching a deal soon.

The meeting briefly addressed the FY22 audit update, with the board awaiting information from the school lunch program and the reconciliation of various accounts. Concerns were raised regarding expenses nearing their limits, especially those related to town hall building expenses and ambulance expenses. The handling of ARPA finances was reviewed, with the board looking to reprogram remaining funds for future needs once ongoing projects were completed. Additionally, the Tax Title and the scheduling of a budget hearing for April 3rd were mentioned.

Lastly, the board engaged in a discussion about a potential visit to East Hampton media for a walkthrough tour. Topics such as the stormwater utility study, the VIIP project, and the evolving legal field regarding Cannabis payments were touched upon. The board expressed a desire to honor agreements with the dispensary and discussed the underground tank at the highway garage, noting concerns about insurance costs and the need for a new facility. Personnel change forms were approved for various positions, and the board signed a certificate of retirement for an assistant assessor and town clerk. The meeting concluded with an overview of pending items and the upcoming board meetings, emphasizing the urgency to finalize the budget.