The most notable highlight of the meeting was the appointment of four new permanent police officers, a move presented by Chief Hicks. This marked a departure from the civil service process, allowing for a broader selection of candidates. The new appointees—Steven Ford, Nicholas Raffi, Brendan Healy, and Camry Thomas—were introduced, each with distinct backgrounds and qualifications. Ford, 25, works as an assistant store manager at Market Basket. Raffi, a reserve officer and a University of Massachusetts graduate, returned from deployment. Healy, 23, is part of the Coast Guard Reserve and studies emergency management. Thomas, 28, holds a degree in sports, entertainment, and events management. The board members expressed unanimous support for the candidates, noting their leadership qualities and commitment to public service. They also commended Chief Hicks for his efforts during the transition away from the civil service system. The motion to appoint the officers, effective January 5th, was approved, contingent on their successful completion of the police academy.

The board also addressed two water and sewer abatement appeals. One resident, Nick Metin, received a $13,000 water bill while overseas. Metin explained that the house was unoccupied during this time, and an inspection found no leaks. The board sought more information, noting the need for evidence of a fault on the town’s part for an abatement. They encouraged Metin to enroll in the “My 360” program for alerts on abnormal water usage and postponed the decision to gather more details. Another appeal by Robin Leitz involved a leak leading to a $600 bill, higher than usual. The board discussed the town’s policy, which bases abatements on past usage. The conversation highlighted the complexities of addressing water usage discrepancies and the importance of documentation.

In liquor license discussions, the board addressed renewals, excluding PF Chang’s and Nine East from the main motion. PF Chang’s had pending application issues, while Nine East awaited a license for relocation. The board explored Massachusetts laws on “pocket licenses,” allowing licenses to remain active despite being unused temporarily. Nine East’s renewal was approved with unanimous consent. The board also discussed a potential closure for PF Chang’s if the license was not renewed, with the matter continued to the January 7th agenda.

Additionally, the board decided not to renew Sora Sushi’s alcohol license due to non-compliance with health and safety inspections. This decision, though automatic due to a lack of renewal application, was publicly documented to avoid ambiguity. A primer session for applicants on local and state licenses was noted for its high participation and positive reception, emphasizing the importance of adhering to guidelines.