A major point of contention involved the skater project, where frustrations were aired about administrative delays that have stalled progress over the past 18 months. The project, which has already seen expenditures surpassing $190,000, faces an impending debt of $599,800 due to upcoming bills. The board deliberated on the terms of the contract with vendors and the possibility of internal borrowing to temporarily cover costs until state funding is received. The bonding council had previously issued a green light letter, but delays in state responses have compounded the financial strain.

In parallel, the ongoing water system upgrades have similarly encountered financial bottlenecks. The electrical contractor, referred to as “Elm,” has been active in installing new infrastructure, yet overdue payments totaling $362,552 for multiple bills threaten to halt progress. Although initial bills have been settled, the board explored the implications of a work stoppage, with assurances that critical systems would remain operational in the interim. However, the looming financial deadline underscores the urgency of securing funds.

The town’s precarious financial situation was further highlighted as discussions turned to a million-dollar loan for the water department. Loan forgiveness figures were mentioned, offering some relief, yet the uncertainty surrounding reimbursement timing added to the board’s anxiety.

In addressing the financial intricacies, there was a call for improved tracking and management of grant applications. A proposal was made to implement a form for departments to fill out when applying for grants, detailing the granting agency, intended use, and responsible parties.

Amid these issues, the board also addressed various administrative tasks. A contract extension for the Material Recovery Facility and updates to the Host Community Agreement with Putting Hills were signed to align with current regulatory standards. Additionally, the board discussed delays in cashing checks received from residents, some dating back to August, prompting a decision to enforce a stricter timeline for deposit completion.

The meeting also touched on personnel matters, with the highway superintendent position still unfilled despite new applications. The board continues its search for a suitable candidate. Moreover, a contract with the United Public Services Employees Union was approved, bringing changes to the evaluation and merit pay structure for highway department employees. This new system will involve quarterly evaluations linked to performance-based pay increases.