The most pressing topic was the board’s discussion on civil discourse training for elected officials, prompted by a presentation from a concerned resident, Mr. Furs. He highlighted troubling instances of discriminatory language in public meetings. Furs, a former town meeting member, conducted an automated review of meeting transcripts from 2021 onwards, revealing numerous examples of coded and overtly discriminatory remarks. He emphasized the need for officials to adhere to higher standards and proposed three actions: introducing bias and civil discourse training for officials, establishing a compliance policy for training completion, and forming a working group to recommend training options. Furs shared anonymized examples of flagged comments.

The board members engaged in discussions about implementing civil discourse training, with one member acknowledging the discomfort some might feel but emphasizing the importance of fostering a growth mindset. There was consensus that the training should be mandatory for newly elected officials and aim to instill accountability. The board considered forming a working group to explore implementation across different elected boards but recognized the existing heavy workload of committees. They expressed interest in finding suitable training options and possibly holding a public hearing for broader input on the proposed standards.

Next, the board addressed a proposed letter of engagement with KP Law for town council services. The managing partner from KP Law, Lauren Goldberg, presented the terms, which included a retainer of $99,000 for the first year and an hourly rate of $265 for additional work. Compared to the previous arrangement, this represented an increase from a $75,000 retainer and a $220 hourly rate. Goldberg assured transparency in billing and suggested reviewing the retainer’s adequacy after three to six months. The board voted unanimously to approve the contract.

The meeting also covered the upcoming Route 28 Randolph A Road Diet Pilot, with adjustments set to begin in early October. There were concerns about the pilot’s impact on local traffic and safety. The board affirmed the importance of monitoring the situation closely and maintaining communication with residents and MassDOT. The pilot aims to address traffic concerns and promote safety, though its implementation coincides with potential neighborhood disruptions.

Additionally, the board confirmed the town’s participation in settlements with opioid manufacturers, including Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family. The anticipated funds would be allocated to address addiction-related issues in the community. The board emphasized the importance of ensuring the board of health has a plan for utilizing the funds effectively and suggested oversight to prevent underutilization.

Other updates included the ceremonial groundbreaking for the East Milton Fire Station and the special town meeting preparations. The planning board withdrew a proposed sign bylaw, while other articles, including traffic impact mitigation, were under consideration. The board also discussed the appeals process related to property fines, with members expressing concern over the select board’s role in operational enforcement matters. They suggested that the appeals process might be better suited for the code enforcement office or a designated committee.

In personnel changes, the assistant town administrator, Nick Connors, announced his departure, while Liz Manning was introduced as the new planning director. The board expressed gratitude for Connors’ contributions and welcomed Manning to the team.

The meeting concluded with planning for the upcoming board retreat on October 5th, discussions on additional liquor licenses for Curry College, and the announcement of community events and initiatives, including the affordable housing lottery for the Ice House project and the Council on Aging fundraiser.