The board devoted substantial attention to the upcoming special meeting on June 3, which will focus on the proposed water treatment plant. This initiative, affecting all residents, not just water customers, was underscored by concerns that increased water fees could impact public buildings across the town. The importance of this project was highlighted, stressing its potential ramifications for the community’s infrastructure and budget. The special meeting aims to gather public input and deliberate on the plant’s feasibility and financial implications.

In the realm of personnel changes, the board acknowledged the resignation of Amanda Moore from her position as vice chair due to health concerns. Her departure necessitated a reorganization of the board’s leadership. The board moved swiftly to elect a new chair and vice chair, with Renee Emkey being elected as the new chair with a vote of 3 to 1, and Brian Leighton as the vice chair, elected unanimously. These changes are expected to influence the board’s strategic direction and decision-making processes moving forward.

The board also addressed the ongoing matter of uncollected ambulance receipts. A recommendation was made to write off $17,232 deemed uncollectible and to send $65,448.85 to a collection agency for further action. This motion passed unanimously.

Further discussions involved a nuisance dog complaint submitted by George and Jennifer Burden. The board resolved to appoint the animal control officer to investigate the complaint, a decision made after brief deliberation and approved unanimously. This step aims to address community concerns regarding animal management and safety.

In addition to these primary topics, the board explored the potential for a special town election following Moore’s resignation. The necessity of filling the vacant seat was recognized, though the timing of the election remains uncertain pending consultations with the town clerk. Additionally, the board contemplated the possibility of a special town meeting, emphasizing collaboration with the school and finance committees to ensure a balanced budget and informed decision-making.

Another topic was the ongoing efforts related to a request for proposals (RFP) concerning the redevelopment of a property, 925 Mass Ave. The board reviewed the evaluative criteria developed by a working group, emphasizing environmental considerations, particularly the redevelopment of a brownfield site.

The board also addressed various procedural matters, including the approval of waivers for the Lunenburg teen center’s “Shrieks and Creeks” event, allowing the event to proceed without the standard public hearing and insurance requirements.

In her report, the town manager provided updates on personnel matters, project statuses, and grant achievements. The report also covered ongoing recruitment efforts for seasonal staff and updates on vacancies in appointed boards and committees.

During public comments, John Bowen raised concerns about a potential ethics violation related to a political action committee (PAC) supporting a finance committee member, calling for an investigation. While the board acknowledged the comment, no immediate action was taken.