John Bowen, a resident, raised concerns about the Cemetery Commission’s financial practices. Bowen criticized what he described as “wasteful spending,” including a $1,028 expenditure for engraving a bench on a personal plot for a former board member and payments to Lake View Landscaping he deemed unnecessary given the Department of Public Works (DPW) had already provided relevant services. Bowen suggested these actions were attempts to undermine DPW Superintendent Todd Holman, referencing a recent defamation lawsuit involving Holman. He called for the establishment of a cemetery corporation to enhance oversight.

In addition to the Cemetery Commission’s financial practices, the meeting also scrutinized the challenges confronting the Parks Commission regarding project budgeting. The revised cost estimate for improvements to Marshall Park increased from $5.2 million to $14 million, higher than anticipated. This escalation forced the Parks Commission to reconsider its approach, notably the decision to postpone borrowing articles at the upcoming special town meeting. The Parks Commission must adhere to commitments made under a $500,000 Park Grant to avoid losing state funding, prompting a reassessment of their funding strategies.

The Lunenburg Municipal Building Design Committee presented updates on the TC Passios building and Marshall Park projects. Historical attempts to repurpose municipal buildings had not yielded actionable results, and the committee aims to consolidate previous plans into a comprehensive hybrid plan. The TC Passios building, a focal point of these discussions, has seen cost estimates rise from $23 million to $30 million. The committee is working to keep expenses below $15 million, balancing the need for space with financial constraints.

The meeting also addressed employee welfare, including proposals for improved leave policies. One resident highlighted the absence of a policy requiring payment for employees on jury duty and suggested creating a sick bank for staff facing health challenges, advocating for more immediate leave access for new employees. The interim Town Manager reported on certified values and the upcoming classification hearing, while another resident emphasized the need for humane adjustments to current policies, arguing that immediate access to some leave time upon employment could be beneficial.

Further discussions examined the proposed bylaw to standardize employment contracts for town department heads. This measure, intended to address feelings of inequity among employees, would establish clear terms for roles beyond the police and fire chiefs, potentially enhancing recruitment by offering more competitive benefits. The proposal would cost $4,425 plus $17,550, with some funds already existing rather than new allocations.

Concerns about part-time employee benefits were also raised, prompting suggestions for paid vacation and sick leave, capped at two weeks. The estimated cost of this amendment, approximately $117,000, would not be new money but a reduction in funds potentially returned to free cash. The absence of paid leave for part-time staff has posed recruitment challenges, and the proposed changes aim to improve job appeal.

Lastly, the discussion on grants highlighted the need for effective use of allocated funds, particularly the $50,000 designated for grant writing services in the general government budget. The committee emphasized the importance of securing funding for ongoing projects, such as Marshall Park, to align community initiatives with financial realities effectively.