The Board addressed a request to approve an invoice for $1,168 from the Emblem Authority for the purchase of promotional military and breast cancer awareness patches intended for fundraising. The discussion raised concerns about whether the funds used for the patches, which are expected to be sold to raise money, should be reimbursed to the law enforcement trust fund. While the police chief considered the purchase a method of building community engagement, the town accountant questioned this use of the funds, citing Massachusetts General Law which states that such funds should not be considered a source of revenue for operating needs of the department. The Board decided to table the approval of this invoice and another related request for $600 for similar fundraising patches until they could obtain more information and ensure proper fund expenditure.

Additionally, the Board approved an invoice for $3,650 from Flock Safety for the purchase of a camera system for the Police Department, intended to enhance license plate tracing capabilities. This expenditure was to be drawn from the law enforcement trust fund, consisting of money obtained from state drug raids, which has not been regularly replenished over the years.

An invoice from Hillside Lawn Farm was also approved for the repair of a mower, with payment coming from the cemetery board’s unrestricted fund. This left the unrestricted fund with a balance of $86,411 after the payment of $7,176 for the repair.