The Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023, a collaborative effort involving department representatives and volunteers, aims to reduce the town’s vulnerability to a variety of natural hazards. Risk assessments were conducted considering the town’s geography, demographics, existing conditions, and capabilities. The plan not only addresses climate mitigation but also specific regional hazards like landslides, wildfires, invasive species, hurricanes, and nor’easters. Additionally, the adoption of the plan opens opportunities for potential grant funding to implement the mitigation strategies.

On another front, the board reorganized its leadership in the aftermath of a bomb threat that disrupted a library event celebrating Pride Story Time. The threat provoked a strong response from the community, with public commenters calling for solidarity against hate and respect for First Amendment rights. The public also acknowledged the efforts of first responders and the town manager in managing the incident.

During public comments, safety concerns were prominently voiced. One speaker called for proactive measures to make roads safer, suggesting traffic calming solutions, while another raised personal safety issues linked to the bomb threat. The need to respect diverse perspectives in community discourse was underlined, with one speaker criticizing the assumption of a singular “voice of the people.”

The meeting also touched on the potential solutions for district-wide pre-K, with presentations from architects on plans for school site development, focusing on traffic flow and congestion. Board members expressed satisfaction with the successful handling of a business license issue and the lifting of the winter parking ban.

In the realm of governance, the board addressed the modification of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) study committee membership. After debate, they resolved to include a member of the Conservation Commission and reduce the number of resident members from two to one, emphasizing the importance of conservation representation in planning for open space.

The board tackled the thorny issue of board conduct, discussing various options for investigation, including involving the police, State Ethics, and outside counsel. The hiring process for an investigator spurred debate about delegation, bidding requirements, and potential conflicts of interest. Members sought legal advice to ensure transparency and adherence to due process.

The scope of the investigation became a topic of contention, with concerns over privacy, the need for concrete evidence of wrongdoing, and the allocation of taxpayer funds. Despite variances in opinion, the board agreed on the necessity of setting specific goals for the investigation and structured the process to reflect this.

The meeting also covered logistical matters like early voting for a special election, with the board opting for in-person early voting at Town Hall and continuing vote by mail. Further, there were discussions on the town meeting start date, which was moved to April 25th to avoid conflict with Passover.

Lastly, the board reviewed and amended meeting minutes from previous dates. Debates arose over the inclusion of specific statements and the level of detail to be recorded, emphasizing the importance of accurate and complete documentation of board activities.