The most notable topic of discussion was the hiring process for a town engineer, a role that has been debated for over two years. The board considered the necessity and timing of the hire, especially given that only one application had been received for the position. Concerns were raised about the qualifications of the candidate, who was not a licensed engineer, and whether the position should be full-time or part-time. The board acknowledged the need for more public involvement and transparency in the process, with multiple residents expressing frustration over the perceived secrecy and lack of community engagement.

The debate over the town engineer position highlighted the need for effective communication and the importance of aligning the role with the town’s needs, particularly in relation to the highway department. Some board members suggested that a contractor might be a more cost-effective solution, while others supported the full-time approach, seeing it as crucial for the town’s operations.

As the discussion continued, the board considered the implications of hiring a town engineer before appointing a new town administrator, as the two roles would need to collaborate closely on projects. The sentiment that the hiring process had not adequately engaged the community was prevalent, with calls for more public involvement and transparency. The board ultimately decided to table the motion on the town engineer appointment, opting to address the concerns and refine the job description and hiring process.

The meeting also addressed the proposed infrastructure project on Horseneck Road, which involves the installation of conduit and manholes as part of Eversource Energy’s initiative to upgrade electrical capacity in Westport. The project aims to integrate distributed energy resources, primarily solar power, with the intention of reducing outages and improving reliability. Although this proposal was largely funded by solar developers, concerns were raised about the environmental impact of related solar projects. A board member opposed the petition due to environmental destruction linked to solar developments, despite the project focusing solely on infrastructure improvements.

On another front, the board tackled the bridge design proposal from MassDOT for a local bridge project. Concerns were voiced about the lack of historical sensitivity and coordination with existing projects in the current design. The board debated whether to approve the proposed design or seek alternative funding sources, considering the potential impact on local transportation if weight restrictions were imposed. Ultimately, the board chose to decline moving forward with the MassDOT design phase, opting to explore other avenues for the bridge construction.

In community planning, the board discussed an ongoing project to manage barrier beaches in Westport, prompted by recent storm damage. This initiative aims to enhance the resilience of the beaches against coastal storms and sea level rise, involving beach nourishment techniques and restoration efforts. The project, supported by grants from coastal zone management and the municipal vulnerability program, seeks to protect public infrastructure and maintain recreational opportunities.

Additionally, the board addressed several administrative matters, including the appointment of Paula Brown as the assistant to the town administrator and Nathan Alden as a part-time IT technician. These appointments were made to support town operations, with a focus on maintaining technological infrastructure and addressing recent IT challenges.

Finally, the board approved several community initiatives, such as the first National Night Out event, upcoming community events, and the ongoing used book sale at the library. Discussions also included a request for proposals for the opioid settlement fund advisory committee, aimed at addressing the opioid crisis and promoting public health initiatives in the community.