One notable issue discussed was the follow-up on the town’s sick bank policy. It was revealed that a decision made in June 2023 to adjust sick bank hours from 40 to 160 had not been effectively implemented. This discrepancy was discovered during a personnel board meeting earlier in the day. The sick bank had accumulated over 1,100 hours, surpassing its limit of 600 hours. However, only about 10 of the approximately 24 participants on the master list remained employed by the town, and only 532 hours had been donated by eligible employees.

A significant concern arose regarding six eligible employees who had not been able to donate due to the absence of necessary forms. To rectify this, the personnel board recommended allowing these employees to join the sick bank by donating 12 hours each. A particular case involving an employee unable to donate due to having no available sick time prompted further discussion. The board reached a consensus that if this employee had missed the opportunity to donate, they should be credited for past hours. The personnel board advised granting this individual 160 hours of sick time to enable future participation in the sick bank once they could donate.

The board also emphasized the need for a review of all eligible employees potentially affected by this oversight. There was a suggestion to credit these employees for any lost hours due to the lack of notification about the sick bank. This move highlights the board’s intent to address administrative oversights and ensure fairness.

Following the sick bank discussion, the board reviewed outcomes from the recent annual town meeting. Members expressed satisfaction with the meeting, noting strong attendee engagement and alignment on budgetary matters. The finance committee received commendations for their efforts, and particular thanks were extended to Aaron for his preparedness. With approximately 88 attendees, the turnout was considered robust compared to previous years. Some logistical challenges were noted, attributed to the presence of a new administrative team. The board acknowledged the need for better preparation, particularly regarding personnel changes related to the Furcog, with plans to follow up for clarity.

The board also discussed the town meeting preparations, recognizing the need to improve processes. A member acknowledged an assumption that new staff, including Becky, would be familiar with historical town operations, highlighting a gap in institutional knowledge due to recent retirements and transitions. It was noted that reliance on past experiences and the expertise of former staff was no longer adequate. One member stated, “We became complacent. We very much just assumed it was going to run the way it has every other year,” underscoring the necessity to adapt to new dynamics and support new members.

Attention then shifted to a finance committee member, Dylan, who would assist in reviewing documents for future town meetings to avoid previous formula errors. The board expressed optimism about preventing future mistakes with a second set of eyes, noting the importance of thorough checks to ensure accuracy.

The meeting also covered the approval of a one-day liquor license application presented by Hayden for an event at the town park pavilion on May 18, 2025. The board confirmed all necessary sign-offs from relevant departments, including fire and police, and approved the application unanimously, wishing Hayden well for his sister’s graduation celebration.

Discussions about summer hours followed, with a proposal to extend summer hours earlier in the season due to anticipated slow periods in May and June. The board members showed general agreement, recalling similar patterns in previous years. They also acknowledged the need to finalize committee appointments and discussed scheduling for upcoming meetings post-elections, emphasizing flexibility in consideration of potential absences during the summer.