During the session, the board’s immediate attention was drawn to the issue of the McDonald’s septic system which had resulted in sewage surfacing on the property.

The conversation then turned to the property on Old City Road, where the board approved upgrades to the septic system, including the installation of a new septic tank and pump chamber. This property’s septic system upgrade was considered crucial for maintaining compliance with health standards.

The board also dealt with the failed septic system on Fitchburg Road, approving local upgrade approvals that involved reductions in required separations and the depth of the naturally occurring porous material layer. The property owner’s request for the use of a Civ analysis was granted.

Another prominent topic was the old fire station on Main Street, now repurposed as a museum, which required a new septic system. The board took a detailed look at the proposed system’s proximity to wetlands and the floodplain, as well as adherence to buffer requirements. The discussion displayed the board’s careful consideration of environmental impacts and compliance with regulations.

Waste management was another issue, with the board debating discrepancies in reported trash and recycling amounts and the implementation of a new waste totter system. The topic of who owns the trash barrels, the cost to the town, and the logistics of a potential buy-back program for unused barrels were also discussed. The board explored the options of providing 32-gallon, 48-gallon, or 64-gallon barrels, with particular concern for elderly residents with limited mobility.

The board members engaged in a discussion over the cost of the barrels and the potential revenue from selling them, highlighting the financial aspects of waste management. A lighthearted moment occurred when the discussion briefly turned to mailbox durability, followed by an interruption from a member of the Republican Town committee who had reserved the room for their meeting.