The most pressing topic discussed at the meeting involved the renewal of the Charter Spectrum cable television license, which had been under consideration for some time. The new agreement, which extends the term to ten years from the previous five, reflects industry shifts as more consumers gravitate toward streaming services. Despite its generally “boilerplate” nature, the contract includes minor adjustments, most notably a decrease in payments due to the dwindling number of cable subscribers in Dunstable—estimated at less than 30% of households. A public hearing was held, where no comments were made by attendees, leading to a swift approval of the renewal license.

Another issue tackled was traffic speed and safety on Route 113, a concern raised by a resident who recounted personal observations of speeding vehicles. The resident referenced the Safe Roads Act, which allows for expedited speed studies, and highlighted the need for better community awareness and road safety measures. The discourse included skepticism about the effectiveness of lowering speed limits and emphasized the challenges faced by the local police department, which operates with limited resources to enforce speed limits across 41 miles of road.

The discussion also explored the possibility of state intervention for a speed limit study, with some expressing concern about the adequacy of past studies. The meeting touched upon broader traffic safety issues, including the installation of bike lanes and traffic lights to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety. Despite acknowledging the low number of accidents relative to traffic volume, participants agreed on the necessity of reevaluating current enforcement strategies and infrastructure improvements.

A speed trailer currently collecting data on vehicle speeds was noted as a potential tool to gain insights into traffic behavior. The data from this device will be reviewed in an upcoming follow-up meeting, where further steps to address speeding will be considered.

In parallel, the board reviewed updates to the town’s personnel policies. Changes included redefining full-time and part-time employee classifications, with the latter now eligible for prorated time-off benefits. Additionally, the town is considering adjustments to vacation accrual rates to remain competitive with neighboring areas.

Remote work policies were also revisited, with discussions on how to handle situations where employees are unable to work from home due to power outages, and whether such instances should warrant compensation.

The meeting concluded with preparations for an upcoming special town meeting set for November 18th, where several articles will be addressed, including citizen petitions on municipal funding and electronic voting. The board highlighted the importance of these issues and the need for careful consideration of their implications.