One notable issues discussed was the ongoing water quality concerns in Norton. Residents have reported discolored water, prompting a discussion led by Mr. Bishop. He explained that the discoloration stemmed from organic materials surfacing due to higher water levels. The water treatment plant, primarily designed to filter iron and manganese, has struggled to handle the influx of organic materials. Mr. Bishop assured the board that the town is flushing the water system and making infrastructure improvements to mitigate the problem. He emphasized the need for long-term solutions beyond temporary fixes and mentioned that problematic areas have been identified for future upgrades.

Mr. Bishop also highlighted the challenges faced by residents with internal plumbing that may contribute to the water quality issues. Despite some residents installing whole-house filters, the discoloration persists. The discussion also touched on the impact of ongoing development in the area on water capacity and quality. Mr. Bishop suggested that further assessments from engineers would provide a clearer picture of the situation.

Another topic was the proposal to adjust the building permit fees in Norton. A contractor highlighted the discrepancies in permit costs compared to neighboring towns like Foxboro and Mansfield. For instance, the permit fee for a home in Foxboro was $1,512, while in Norton it was $858. He further compared the fees for small additions, pointing out that a project in East incurred a permit fee of $241, whereas Norton charged $1,915 for a similar project. The contractor criticized the structure of fees for smaller projects such as roofing, siding, and window installations, noting that Mansfield charges a flat fee of $50 for roof permits and Foxboro charges $75, while Norton’s fee is calculated at $10 per thousand of the project cost, leading to a $300 fee for a $25,000 roofing job.

The contractor proposed several changes to the fee structure, advocating for the elimination of all base fees and suggesting a flat fee of $50 for small projects. He also recommended reducing the fees for residential builds and additions to $9 per thousand and adjusting commercial fees to $15 per thousand. He further suggested eliminating the $225 minimum fee for after-hours inspections and providing refunds on permit fees if a homeowner withdraws from a project before work commences. The contractor emphasized that the purpose of these fees is to cover the building department’s expenses, not to generate additional revenue for the town.

The board acknowledged the need for a comprehensive approach to revising the fee structure and agreed to schedule a future meeting to review the proposals in detail. There was a consensus that changing the fee structure spontaneously during the meeting was not advisable, and a member suggested convening a small group to develop a proposal for the board’s consideration.

In other business, the board approved the appointment of Wendy Carran as the Treasurer Tax Collector and Tax Title Custodian, and a one-day beer and wine license application from Mark Hasselbarth of Wheaton College for an event scheduled on October 5. The board also recognized Ralph Stefanelli for being named Board Member of the Year by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) in Massachusetts. Stefanelli expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the value of teamwork within the Housing Authority.

Additionally, the board reviewed a proposed Friendly 40B local initiative project application for the construction of 74 townhouse units at Zero Nuke Street. After confirming that the project would benefit the town, the board unanimously approved a motion to sign a letter of support for the project.

The meeting also included announcements about community initiatives, including an ongoing food drive organized by the Norton Police Department and the Boy Scouts, a Norton Fire Department open house on September 29, an upcoming Halloween parade by the Recreation Department, and a free kayaking event for veterans on October 6.

A financial discussion revealed that free cash had been certified at $6,254,439, representing an increase of $1,325,569 compared to the previous year. The finance team was commended for their efficiency in achieving this certification just one week after submitting the necessary paperwork. Key components contributing to the certified free cash included $500,000 from last year’s unused budget, a spending freeze implemented in December, and significant motor vehicle excise tax revenues that exceeded expectations by $900,000.