The board delved into the details of Leonard Street North’s acceptance as a public way, a move crucial for the town’s development. Jeff O’Neal from Conine highlighted the investments made, the street’s completion, and its expected impact on real estate taxes and job creation. The board focused on the economic benefits and the completed infrastructure as they unanimously agreed on the acceptance of the roadway and the release of the bond.

The meeting then turned to the Water and Sewer Enterprise budgets, with the board unanimously recommending Articles 4 and 5 for the respective budgets. The repurposing of funds for a water main project and treatment facility upgrades were considered, with the board recommending Article 9. The proposed water and sewer work on Elm Street, associated with Article 10, sparked a debate due to the costs and funding sources involved, including a $3.5 million grant and betterment assessments for homeowners. The board considered placing a lien on properties to recoup costs post-development and discussed ways to alleviate the financial burden on affected homeowners.

Another discussion revolved around the town’s move to exit Civil Service, which was seen as a strategic effort to streamline the hiring process for the fire and police departments. The decision, encapsulated in Article 15, was approved by the board. The board also recommended Article 16, allocating $3,000 from free cash for the collection and disposal of discarded items on roadways, and Article 17, which proposed using $112,000 for a town household hazardous waste day.

The Select Board addressed the issue of residential property lighting with Article 18, a bylaw amendment under scrutiny. There was a consensus to seek legal advice before moving forward. Similar caution was exercised regarding Article 19, which pertained to the installation of cameras, with the petitioner agreeing to seek legal advice.

The upcoming special election for budget overrides commanded attention as the board discussed the challenges of handling three budgets at the town meeting. The logistics of managing the budget process in light of potential overrides were debated, with concerns about the feasibility of reviewing and approving all budgets before the meeting. A plan to schedule a special election for the first Saturday in June, with the intention to approve the 1% budget on May 13th and hold the election on June 1st, was proposed to allow for more time to develop clear budget presentations.

Additionally, the board acknowledged the departure of a board member, Megan, and expressed gratitude for her service. Announcements included the Norton Cleanup Day, the pickup kickball league, and the Memorial Day parade. The board also discussed the possibility of setting speed limits on roads, the implications of withdrawing from civil service for the police department, the street acceptance of Wendell Jackson Property, and the increase in the Council on Aging revolving fund from $10,000 to $20,000.