A major focal point of the meeting was the discussion surrounding House Bill 4885, recently signed by Governor Maura Healey, which introduced new firearm regulations. The bill includes a provision allowing municipalities to opt out of restrictions on carrying firearms in certain locations, such as municipal buildings. A board member presented a prepared statement asserting that the bill imposes strict regulations that might infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens. The proposal to opt out of the restrictions sparked a debate among the board members. While there was a shared commitment to upholding citizens’ rights, some members emphasized the need for thorough understanding before proceeding with a decision. Despite concerns about rushing, a motion to opt out of the restrictions was passed.

Another item on the agenda was the board’s decision to finalize the warrant for the upcoming town meeting. This warrant includes several notable articles, such as a proposal to change the town clerk’s position from elected to appointed and a restructuring of the board of selectmen to increase its membership from three to five. Additionally, the warrant proposes the combination of the elected treasurer and collector of taxes into a single role and the establishment of a revolving fund for electric vehicle charging. These changes aim to streamline town governance and adapt to new funding and administrative needs.

The board also tackled the issue of low attendance at fall town meetings, considering whether to officially inform the public of their importance or revert to a single annual meeting. The fall meeting, often perceived as a session for “correcting financial issues,” sees lower attendance than the spring meeting. There was a suggestion to emphasize the fall meeting’s significance to ensure broader community participation.

Traffic safety was addressed with a proposal to convert passing zones on Allen Street and Main Street into no-passing zones. This change, requested by the highway superintendent, aims to enhance safety in these areas, drawing on positive experiences from similar adjustments on nearby roads. The board authorized the superintendent to proceed with the modifications.

Attention turned to the potential repurposing of the Thoron Burgess building as the new town hall. This proposal included plans for a walkthrough with representatives from parks and the library to assess the building’s suitability for various activities. The board also explored the introduction of electronic voting at town meetings, agreeing to trial a system using handheld devices to streamline the voting process and enhance participation.

The board’s agenda incorporated several financial and logistical topics. Discussions included additional funding requests for the police department and cemetery commission, plans for expanding the Senior Center, and various infrastructure projects, such as a fire station generator installation and hazardous materials abatement.

In administrative matters, the board signed the 2024 state election warrant. The meeting concluded with a focus on fiscal management, addressing transfers from free cash and stabilization funds to maintain a balance for reducing the tax rate.