The primary focus was on the financial challenges the town is facing in various budget accounts. The Finance Committee reported a shortfall of $27,240 in the zoning expense account, largely due to an unexpected increase in newspaper advertisement costs. This exceeded the budget limit set at $800. Additionally, the town buildings account was over by $5,121.27, with rising costs for office supplies and issues with un-cancelled telephone accounts contributing to this overage. The board member discussing this matter emphasized the need for improved tracking of expenses and better budget organization.

Further scrutiny was given to the civil defense account, which unexpectedly increased by $3,278, posing challenges to financial planning. The highway salaries account also faced issues due to overages linked to daily rates and longevity payments for an employee. The cemetery expense line was another area with a shortfall, initially projected at $7,000, and attributed to misallocated invoices. This prompted the board to consider reviewing the cemetery’s mowing contract, as increased mowing needs and rising fuel costs may necessitate adjustments for future contracts.

The board also delved into the complexities of out-of-district tuition and transportation expenses. With significant overruns, it became clear that the town received insufficient advance notice regarding student numbers attending Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, complicating financial forecasting.

The South County Senior Center’s funding was another focal point. The center required a transfer of $550 to extend design work by EDPM, with other towns contributing funds to this effort. Concerns about the exploratory nature of the project were raised, particularly regarding a potential $10,000 monthly rent for a new space. The board discussed the importance of considering future demographic trends, especially regarding the aging population, and whether current expenditures were sustainable. The cost assessment for the center was based on the senior population in each town, sparking a debate over budgeting priorities. A motion to transfer $550 from the select board’s administrative budget to fund the consulting work was made and passed unanimously.

In addition to financial matters, the board discussed public health testing updates concerning PFAS substances. The town administrator noted that the first round of testing had yielded a positive result for PFOA at one property. However, subsequent tests from the same property and a neighboring residence returned negative results. The administrator emphasized the importance of keeping residents informed and mentioned that regular landfill monitoring would continue unless new issues arose.

Other administrative tasks included the unanimous appointment of Leonna Atlantic to the Council on Aging, with Maryanne Kanic Kowalik needing more time to consider her appointment. The board also reviewed the Boston Post Cane ceremony to honor Sunderland’s oldest resident, ultimately selecting the 22nd of the month for the event. The board approved several election worker appointments for the upcoming term.

Lastly, the board reviewed an engagement letter from Scanland for a new audit, which was deemed necessary due to the receipt of over a million dollars in federal ARPA funds. The audit cost increased from $13,000 to $14,500, and the board underscored the importance of signing the engagement letter promptly to allow the audit to proceed. A motion to accept Scanland’s proposal was made and passed unanimously.