The resident, from 81 Green Meadow Drive, presented a detailed account of the improper storage of two 35-gallon containers of pool chemicals on the night of July 11th. They highlighted the lack of adequate lighting and pointed out that the storage site was merely ten yards from where children had been burned by pool chemicals the previous year. Providing photographic evidence, the resident cited OSHA and CDC guidelines, underscoring the risks associated with chemicals like calcium hypochlorite, which can cause burns, eye and lung irritations, emit toxic fumes, and present a fire risk.

The resident criticized the responses from the Select Board Chair and the town manager, describing them as dismissive and lacking accountability. They called for answers to previously raised questions and requested an apology for the perceived negligence in managing the chemical storage.

Beyond the chemical storage issue, the resident voiced concerns about the Department of Public Works (DPW), citing a vacancy rate exceeding 40% and claiming that the department’s dysfunction had led to public safety issues and increased costs. They pointed to the lack of steel plates and orange barrels for roadwork and mentioned collapsed storm drains that were overdue for repair. The resident urged the Select Board to take decisive action to address these long-standing issues.

Following this public comment, the Select Board moved on to appointments for various committees. David Marinelli was appointed to a three-year term on the Community Preservation Commission, while Dr. Robert Bky and Dr. Richard Steinard were appointed to the Board of Health, with Bky receiving a three-year term and Steinard a one-year associate term. Andrea Schultz and Theo Cusis were appointed to three-year terms on the Cultural Council.

The board then addressed the need to appoint a third member to the Board of Registrars. The discussion revealed concerns over the lack of a formal policy governing the alternating practice between parties for these appointments. A motion to appoint Peter Benton was met with opposition due to offensive social media comments he allegedly posted. The board ultimately decided to request a new candidate from the Republican Town Committee, emphasizing the importance of maintaining nonpartisan community standards.

Updates on ongoing projects and town operations were provided by the town manager, including the rebidding process for the town’s trash hauling contract, which is set to expire at the end of the fiscal year. The contract had previously escalated from approximately $700,000 to about $900,000 over five years. Road resurfacing work and projects involving the Massachusetts Department of Transportation were also discussed, with bridge work scheduled to begin soon. Additionally, the Longmeadow Fire Department’s ambulance service received commendation for achieving a perfect score during an inspection.

The board also discussed water and sewer rate adjustments. Lynn presented a memo outlining different scenarios for increasing the fixed meter revenue from $130,000 to $200,000 while maintaining a consistent increase across all meter sizes. The board deliberated on the implications of these changes, noting the need to mitigate the overall impact of rate increases. There was a consensus that using retained earnings to lower rates was not feasible due to the town being below its target of $500,000.

A proposal for municipal fiber internet was a significant topic of discussion. The task force recommended partnering with Fiers Spring to manage the fiber network buildout and provide administrative services. The proposed financial model would allocate part of customer bills to Fiers Spring, with the remainder directed as revenue back to the town. Concerns were raised about the impact on existing cable services and the need for educating residents about streaming services as an alternative to traditional cable TV.

The meeting also covered proposed changes to zoning bylaws regarding commercial vehicle parking in residential areas. The board discussed allowing residents to park up to two registered commercial vehicles related to a business owned by or employing a resident of the property. The weight limit for vehicles was proposed to be lowered from 10,000 pounds to 6,000 pounds for safety reasons. The board emphasized the importance of community input and planned to send the proposed changes to the planning board for further discussion.

The session concluded with procedural approvals, including a bond anticipation note for $840,000 and the acceptance of a revised liquor license application for Royal Spice. The meeting adjourned with a motion, and members expressed their gratitude and farewells.