The joint meeting with the school committee was a focal point, where James Steel was appointed to fill a vacant school committee position previously held by Sarah Wilson. Steel, who has been involved in school initiatives, was the sole candidate after another withdrew earlier that day. During the session, he answered three pre-prepared questions that highlighted his motivations and qualifications. Steel emphasized his connection to the community, noting his two children attend the local elementary school, which he cited as a reason to contribute more significantly. He praised the school system’s supportive environment and underscored the importance of financial literacy in managing school budgets. A board member questioned the large portion of the town’s budget allocated to schools, to which Steel responded by acknowledging the responsibility that comes with managing such a budget effectively. The unanimous voice vote confirmed Steel’s appointment, celebrated with applause.

Following the school committee appointment, the Select Board delved into the ongoing discourse surrounding the Highland building. This topic has been on the board’s agenda for the past three years due to its potential for community use and the necessity of establishing a structured capital budget for town projects. The building, along with the bog house, was identified as underutilized assets. A working group has been tasked with auditing these resources and proposing their future use. Securing the building’s exterior was a step already taken, but further exploration of educational or community functions was suggested. Grant applications are being prepared to support feasibility studies. The Select Board stressed the importance of a community-driven approach, planning listening sessions for residents to share their visions for the building.

The conversation also explored ways to ensure the building caters to a wide range of community activities, from educational programs for children to services for seniors. The timeline for this project includes broadening the working group’s scope, with recommendations expected by late April or May. Efforts to foster an inclusive environment where community members can contribute to and benefit from the building’s offerings were highlighted.

Another topic was a proposal to use the school parking lot for the Great Brook Farm Touring Center, which raised questions about liability and appropriateness of allowing a commercial entity to utilize school property. The Select Board expressed support for the idea, recognizing the traffic the center attracts during snowy conditions, but acknowledged that the authority to permit this use lies with the school committee. Concerns included potential liability issues, scheduling conflicts, and the nature of the business. Discussions about compensation for the parking lot’s use suggested a nominal fee to avoid setting a precedent.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the proposed Town Administrator bylaw, which aims to create a more organized operational structure for the town. This bylaw would grant the Town Administrator increased control over operations while retaining policy decisions at the committee level. The exclusion of the school committee and fire department from this bylaw raised questions, as did the inclusion of the library, which some argued should operate independently like the school. The Select Board underscored their intention to streamline management for better fiscal sustainability, prompting debate over the bylaw’s implications.

The meeting touched upon preparations for the 250th anniversary celebrations, with plansning to accommodate a significant influx of visitors. A comprehensive logistics plan was outlined, including parking solutions and emergency services coordination. The bicentennial activities, inspired by previous successful celebrations, are expected to draw between 150,000 and 200,000 visitors to nearby Concord, with events planned in Carlisle as well.

The session also covered the financial status of cultural initiatives, including the Music Festival, which benefits from a key contributor’s support. The Cultural Council seeks to maintain its funding levels to support community programs, emphasizing the positive impact of such initiatives on mental health. The council highlighted the challenges of fundraising and the limitations imposed by state grant caps, urging for continued fundraising to sustain cultural activities.

Finally, the discussion included the Cemetery Task Force’s findings on improving record-keeping and the potential for cemetery expansion. The need for modern cemetery management software was emphasized, along with the importance of historical preservation efforts. The Select Board recognized the challenges posed by outdated methods and explored options for expanding cemetery capacity.