A considerable portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comments about the condition of the town’s roads. Residents, including one named Brian Kosmeus from Viden Road, voiced strong dissatisfaction with the state of the roads, particularly the dirt roads riddled with potholes and debris. Kosmeus detailed personal experiences of flat tires caused by road debris like metals and nails and emphasized that despite the current road boss having more equipment, the roads remain the worst they’ve ever been. He extended an invitation to two Selectboard members, Chris and Erica, to join him for a firsthand view of the problematic areas, demanding the town cover the costs for a front-end alignment for his vehicles due to the poor road conditions.

The sentiment was echoed by other attendees, who described the roads as hazardous, with some claiming they were so rough that one could “lose your teeth.” The discussion revealed a consensus that the roads had not been sufficiently graded, leading to further degradation. Specific concerns were raised about a corner near Route 116 and Weekly Road, where a participant recounted a near accident on a motorcycle, prompting calls for better signage to alert drivers to reduce speed.

The meeting also addressed the broader issue of speeding on local roads. Residents noted that during peak commuting hours, vehicles frequently exceed speed limits, with reports of cars reaching speeds of “55 miles an hour.” This led to inquiries about the frequency of police monitoring and highlighted the need for increased enforcement. The history of speed limits was revisited, with some recalling a previous limit of 25 miles per hour before a sign was knocked over and not replaced. The effectiveness of existing signage and speed monitoring tools was questioned, with suggestions for reintroducing practices like contacting repeat offenders and increasing police patrols during critical times.

Attention then turned to the future of the community pool, where concerns were raised about its sustainability amidst rising costs and a diminishing volunteer base. The pool, classified as a “significantly hazard dam,” requires costly inspections and maintenance that now includes water testing and portable toilets.

In other business, the Selectboard discussed appointing David Dimmers as an operator labor with the highway department, noting his mechanical skills and equipment experience. The board also unanimously supported signing EMS letters of support and addressed housekeeping matters, including signing a delayed cemetery deed from 2011. The selection of a planning vendor for the MVP 2.0 project was debated, with the board ultimately choosing the Collaborative for Educational Services over another long-standing vendor to bring fresh perspectives to the initiative.

The board also discussed necessary upgrades to computer equipment, with concerns about the unexpected costs and implications for the town’s budget.

Finally, financial updates revealed an increase in the chapter 90 fund allotment, viewed as a positive development for the town. Health insurance costs were also a concern, with notable increases impacting both the town’s budget and employee contributions. The need for a joint meeting with the finance committee was emphasized to address these rising costs and explore options for healthcare coverage.