In addressing the shortfall, the board considered using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and earmark funds, alongside additional grant proposals and congressional directed funding. The Environmental Advisory Committee’s (EAC) request for increased autonomy in decision-making and public hearings also took center stage, with discussions on amending the committee’s original charge to reflect the proposed changes. Moreover, the board tackled updates on the electric vehicle (EV) charger installation, the handling of a citizens’ petition, and the allocation of funds for a school roof project.

The library project’s cost overrun prompted a debate about the necessity of certain expenses, particularly the landscaping, and the strategy for covering the additional costs. The board discussed various fundraising events, such as a lasagna dinner, tag sale, and turkey trot, to raise money for the project. The potential use of ARPA and earmark funds to close the funding gap was debated, with a motion approved to utilize these resources. The Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) provided insights into the bid evaluation process, with a follow-up meeting scheduled to review the memo and finalize the decision.

The EAC’s request for more autonomy emerged as a point of discussion, with the select board expressing support for the idea but recognizing the need to revise the committee’s original charge. The board acknowledged the importance of clear communication and the delineation of roles between the committee and the select board to ensure effective decision-making.

The update on the electric vehicle (EV) charger installation highlighted concerns from the library about potential costs and the feasibility of the project’s profitability. The board sought further information on maintenance costs, warranty coverage, and the average lifespan of the chargers, in addition to addressing issues related to the library’s power supply and the timing of the installation.

The handling of a citizens’ petition, which had been passed at a recent town meeting, presented procedural challenges for the board. With uncertainty surrounding the last successful citizens’ petition, the board discussed the appropriate course of action, including sending the petition to the legislature with an accompanying letter outlining the vote count.

During the meeting, the board also reviewed the allocation of $200,000 in earmarked funds, originally intended for the library but redirected to a new school roof project due to urgent funding needs. Fortunately, there was a remaining balance from the funds, which the board intended to redirect back to the library project. Additionally, the Finance Committee recommended the transfer of the remaining ARPA funds to the library construction project, emphasizing the need to allocate these resources before a looming deadline.

The board’s discussion on the school roof project centered on the utilization of the earmarked funds and the testing results of a new well, which included addressing a radon issue. The members examined orders of conditions related to trash removal, invasive species management, and landscape maintenance. Deliberations also touched on the square footage of the new building and the potential use of reserve funds to mitigate project costs.