The most notable outcome of the meeting was the board’s unanimous decision to authorize a financial management review by the Massachusetts Division of Local Services. This review, conducted by the Financial Management Resource Bureau, aims to evaluate and improve the town’s management practices rather than past financial transactions. The Town Manager described the review as a valuable, no-cost service that would involve interviews with major stakeholders and provide non-binding recommendations to bolster Norton’s financial stability and management efficiency. Concerns were addressed regarding the review’s scope, particularly its relationship with the school budget. Although school officials will not directly participate, the review will consider the integration of school and town financial practices, potentially identifying best practices from other communities to inform local improvements.

In a move to enhance public safety, the board appointed three new firefighter EMT-B personnel to the Norton Fire Department. Joshua Bumpus, Jasmine Lacy, and Ethan Cameron were introduced by the Fire Chief, who highlighted their military backgrounds and motivation for joining the department. Bumpus, Lacy, and Cameron bring experience from the Army National Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps, respectively. Their appointments were unanimously approved.

Community engagement was another focal point of the meeting, with updates on local events and initiatives. The Town Clerk announced the Festival of Lights scheduled for December 7th, featuring activities such as meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, a Historical Society open house, and a toy donation drive for the C2 Foundation. The event also includes the Great Norton Holiday Light Contest, encouraging residents to display holiday lights, with voting open until December 31st. Additionally, a coat drive will run from December 1st to January 2nd, offering an opportunity for residents to donate coats for professional cleaning and distribution to families in need.

The board also discussed the Norton Holiday Toy Drive, sponsored by the C2 Foundation and local organizations, including the Norton Police Department, Fire Department, and High School Math Honor Society. Scheduled for November 22nd, the drive will collect new, unwrapped toys and gift cards at designated locations throughout the town. The event was praised for its organization and community spirit, despite a minor delay reported during the parade.

Another notable announcement involved a change in broadcasting, with ABC programming transitioning from WLEN channel 6 to WJ ABC channel 21 starting December 1st. This update impacts local media consumption.

In terms of infrastructure and safety, the board addressed traffic concerns, particularly near Wheaton College. Following a meeting with the Department of Transportation, frustrations were expressed over traffic safety issues. The approval of Wood Street as an excluded truck route, decided in September, was noted, though the notification had not previously reached the board or traffic safety committee.

The meeting also touched on ongoing operations at Site One on Newan Street, with concerns over extended truck traffic beyond agreed hours. The board expressed a need for accountability from the business, emphasizing the impact on the community and the importance of understanding the company’s future operations.

Financial matters were also addressed, with the board approving the declaration of two police department vehicles as surplus due to extensive repair needs. The vehicles, a 2010 Ford Taurus sedan and a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500, will be replaced by new cruisers funded through the Spring town meeting. The board also approved several financial warrants, with a focus on transparency and public access to detailed financial documents on the town website.

The meeting concluded with updates on administrative matters, such as the transition to a .gov domain for enhanced cybersecurity and the rollout of a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan. Progress was reported on PAS litigation settlements, with funds allocated for ongoing remediation efforts. Additionally, the board acknowledged the need for timely posting of meeting minutes on the town website to maintain transparency and accountability.