The appointment of new sergeants to the police department was a focal point of the meeting. Bridges detailed his experience in various training roles and emphasized the traits of a good leader, while Parker expressed his educational pursuits and highlighted the importance of empathy and mental health support for officers.

Discussions also delved into the contentious cannabis business license application process. An individual expressed frustration, feeling they were not given a fair opportunity to be interviewed for the license despite significant investment. The board members debated the rigor and fairness of the process, with concerns raised about omitted information in an application and the responsibility for disqualifying applications. The matter was slated for further review with the Town Council and a potential executive session.

The emergency response procedures for individuals experiencing behavioral health issues were critically discussed, emphasizing the need for proper support and the availability of emergency services. The board highlighted proactive measures like traffic stops and community engagement to deter crime.

Adding to the public safety theme, the meeting saw the successful appointment of Randy Goldberg and Jack Grady as call force firefighters. Both candidates articulated their motivations and qualifications, with Goldberg expressing a desire to give back to the community and Grady sharing his transition from engineering to emergency medical services and firefighting.

The meeting also touched upon the proposal to make a road private, which had faced opposition from residents. The board considered referring the proposal to the planning board and possibly including it as a warrant article in a future town meeting. The hiring of Tanya Sullivan as a circulation librarian was approved, and a donation was accepted for summer reading prizes.

Other administrative actions included ratifying the contract for Lieutenant Michael Taggert and discussing the retirement of Sergeant Miles. The assessor’s office’s request to increase the abutters list request fee and the Flex grant program application to remove hazardous trees were also topics of discussion. The board looked to improve department efficiency through the approval of a new e-permitting software solution for the building and Board of Health departments.

Additionally, the board prepared for a public hearing on the Souk Municipal electric aggregation program and discussed the need for an outside audit and hardship exception for the LPP discussion. They also touched on the recent success of a motocross national event and the allocation of funds for road projects. The meeting culminated with plans for a joint meeting on Mass General law 61a, an update on the T-Mobile Hometown Grant, and scheduling a larger bonding issue for road repairs.