Latimore emphasized that the work of equity and justice should not fall solely on the shoulders of one group but requires collective community involvement. She pointed out that many residents, especially those from minority backgrounds, feel disconnected from town governance. To address this, the committee has assigned liaisons to various boards to foster dialogue and engagement. Latimore highlighted the challenges residents face, such as navigating the town’s website and communication strategies, which may not effectively reach all population segments. She encouraged board members to consider how they could improve outreach and service provision to ensure all community members feel included and have their needs met.

The discussion also touched on effective communication strategies, with a focus on making information accessible to non-English speakers. It was noted that while resources like mosquito spraying notifications are available on the town website and local channels, these require proactive seeking from residents. The use of plain language and translations was suggested to improve understanding across different language groups. The board also discussed the potential role of trusted community networks like churches and schools in disseminating information and reaching diverse populations.

Another topic was the Health Department’s outreach and communication with the public. The board discussed various methods, including the use of social media, local media advertising, and community events, to inform residents about health services such as flu clinics. Door-to-door outreach has been positively received, but there is still concern about reaching less engaged community members, particularly renters and people of color. Creative outreach strategies, like drive-up vaccination clinics, were proposed to enhance accessibility.

The meeting also covered updates on community food resources, including the “take one leave one” food shelves, which have been running low, prompting plans for a food drive in the spring. New food establishments in Milton were mentioned, alongside updates on property maintenance and housing correction orders. Personnel changes within the Health Department included the resignation of Emily Connors, leading to the internal posting of the assistant health director position.