The meeting began with a discussion on personnel appointments for the town’s golf course. Two positions were proposed: Mark Lopes for a part-time golf equipment operator and Robert Lort for a full-time equipment operator. Both appointments were budgeted within the fiscal year 2025 budget, with an hourly rate of $18. The motion to appoint both individuals was unanimously approved.

Attention then shifted to the special fall town meeting warrant, particularly school-related articles. Adjustments were made to include duplicates of articles presented by the school committee, rephrased to reflect a Proposition 2 ½ override or debt exclusion. The board noted the financial strain, emphasizing that a debt exclusion appeared to be the only feasible funding option, given a prior operating budget deficit of $1.2 million. The board acknowledged that substantive information regarding the articles would not be available until the day of the town meeting, posing challenges for informed decision-making.

Concerns were raised about the necessity and timing of the proposals, with suggestions that the community should have ample time to digest the information. There was a strong sentiment that an independent review of the projects should be conducted to ensure transparency and accountability. Apprehensions were expressed regarding the adequacy of information provided by the school department, leading to a proposal to retain an independent consultant to evaluate the needs of the school facilities rather than relying solely on recommendations from companies selling their services.

Further debate emerged around the logistics of scheduling votes for the debt exclusion in relation to town elections. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on the town’s budget and the viability of securing funds without jeopardizing essential services, especially given the challenge of finding $300,000 over several years.

Discussion also turned to the implications of warranties associated with recent construction projects, particularly a new roof installed at a school. There were worries about whether warranties would be honored if maintenance or additional work was performed by other contractors. This concern highlighted a desire for written assurances from contractors regarding their obligations, particularly in relation to how future work might affect existing warranties.

Another point of scrutiny was Article 13, which involved a proposed expenditure from the school’s special education reserve fund. A lack of clarity was noted in the article’s language regarding the cap on expenditures, raising questions about whether the school could access the entire reserve without further appropriations. The finance committee expressed concerns about the timing of the article, suggesting it might be prudent to wait until spring to assess the exact funding needs before proceeding, underscoring ongoing debates about fiscal responsibility and the management of resources.

The meeting also included public hearings on utility pole installations and infrastructure improvements. The first petition, identified as W124 57056, pertained to installing approximately 742 feet of conduit and three new manholes on Wing Lane, as well as additional installations on Halfway Road. This work was necessary for establishing a new circuit installation from the EverSource Wing Lane station. No residents from the neighborhood attended to voice opinions or concerns regarding this petition. After reviewing the provided documents, the board unanimously approved the motion related to the first petition.

The next three petitions, MA22 4-22, MA22 4-23, and MA2024-25, requested continuations for discussions about double poles in the area. The board decided to postpone these discussions until March 11th, 2024. A new petition from Verizon New England Incorporated and NSTAR Electric Company proposed placing a new pole on Middle Road. A public hearing was opened for this petition, and the board also agreed to continue this discussion to the same date in March.

The meeting also addressed the broader scope of utility projects. Anthony, presumably a representative from the utility company, explained collaborative efforts with Verizon to improve solar distribution capacity in the South Coast region, including Acushnet. The project’s objective is to increase reliability and reduce outages by implementing new infrastructure and equipment. Anthony stressed the importance of communication with the board and community to avoid confusion and ensure any staked poles could be adjusted based on homeowner feedback.