A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the condition of Alden Street, a privately-owned, dead-end road off Winter Street near Nonesuch Pond. The street’s pavement condition index (PCI) is currently zero, indicating severe deterioration and insufficient drainage systems, which have led to persistent flooding issues and safety concerns. Bill McDowell, the town engineer, outlined these challenges, emphasizing the street’s reliance on a single catch basin that fails to manage water runoff effectively. This inadequacy has resulted in recurrent complaints about icing and puddling, especially in winter months.

During the meeting, board members engaged in a dialouge with residents and town officials about the potential for Alden Street to be accepted into the town’s system. McDowell advised against street acceptance at this time due to its current state and environmental considerations related to its proximity to wetland areas. He noted that improvements in drainage and addressing encroachments were necessary for any future consideration of acceptance.

Residents expressed their concerns and frustrations, highlighting the street’s importance as the sole public access point to Nonesuch Pond, which is vital for local boaters. Long-term residents, including Roger Jarrett and Leonard Carlin, stressed the street’s deteriorating condition and the safety hazards it poses. Carlin pointed out the difficulties children face reaching the bus stop during rainy months due to flooding. Amanda Argentaria, another resident, described severe flooding during rainstorms that completely inundates the street, affecting access and causing sediment accumulation on properties.

The discussion touched upon the possible implementation of a betterment process to fund necessary improvements, estimated to cost approximately $300,000, or $19,000 to $20,000 per household. This financial burden raised concerns among residents about the feasibility of funding such improvements. The board acknowledged that while the town cannot use public funds to improve private property, a betterment assessment spread over 10 to 20 years could reduce the immediate financial impact on residents.

Further complicating the issue is the ownership of the water main on Alden Street, which remains uncertain. The Select Board agreed to gather more information on its ownership status and implications for potential improvements. The complexities of the betterment process, which requires a petition from abutters and approval at a town meeting, were also discussed. This multi-step process could take several years due to the need for design work, bidding, and administrative procedures.

In addition to Alden Street matters, the meeting addressed a proposed new banner reservation policy aimed at streamlining the process for organizations wishing to display banners on Main Street. The policy shifts the approval responsibility from the Select Board to the town administrator, allowing for more efficient operations. Details of the policy include a maximum duration for hanging banners of one week, with rare exceptions for a second week subject to approval. The new procedure was met with positive feedback from the community, particularly for its potential to reduce scheduling conflicts and improve the overall experience for users.

The board also handled a violation by Relief Alternatives, a local dispensary found to be operating beyond its permitted hours. An inspection revealed that the dispensary had been closing at 11:00 PM on weekends, contrary to the town’s policy of a 9:00 PM closing time. While the dispensary had no prior complaints and promptly corrected the hours upon notification, the board emphasized the importance of adherence to local regulations and expressed a willingness to be lenient due to the dispensary’s good track record.

In procedural matters, the board discussed endorsing two proposed warrant articles for the upcoming Fall Town Meeting. These articles focus on potential amendments to the town bylaw, including Article 27, which pertains to the Information Systems Advisory Board, and a table in Article 10 related to appointments made by the Select Board. The board decided to split the articles into two separate ones, allowing for a more strategic approach to their potential approval at the town meeting.