A central issue was the planning board’s plea to reinstate a 19.5-hour clerical position that has been vacant since February 2025. The vacancy has strained the board’s operations, hindering their ability to manage responsibilities such as liaison work among land use departments and preparing crucial plans for the town’s development. The planning board members emphasized the necessity of this role to effectively support their initiatives, which include preparing a master plan, zoning amendments, and a complete streets prioritization plan.

The planning board’s presentation highlighted the importance of several grant applications, emphasizing a $500,000 design plan for the South Main Street sewer extension as a priority. This project, along with other initiatives like the ADA self-evaluation and zoning recertification study, requires timely execution to coincide with upcoming infrastructure work on South Main Street. The absence of a dedicated clerk has further complicated the planning board’s ability to manage these projects efficiently.

In addition to the staffing concerns, the meeting also addressed budget shortfalls, particularly regarding the inclusion of a stipend for the treasurer-collector. The discussion revealed a shortfall of approximately $14,000, primarily due to the incorporation of borrowings into the budget. This sparked a debate on whether these should be categorized as short-term debt or included in the overall budget. The treasurer-collector’s perspective ultimately shaped the current budget structure.

Another topic of interest was the semi-level funded budget proposal from the Council on Aging. The director requested modest salary increases, including a $0.50 raise for a secretary and a 2% increase for outreach coordinators, to boost staff morale and acknowledge their hard work. The committee recognized the significance of these small adjustments in maintaining the dedication of the Council’s small team.

Concerns about the shared clerical situation were also discussed. The current arrangement was deemed insufficient, as the shared clerk was primarily tasked with handling minutes, leaving other pressing needs unmet. This highlighted the ongoing challenges in adequately staffing critical roles within the town’s departments.

The budgetary discussions extended to the school district, with upcoming meetings planned to address the anticipated increase in assessments due to rising student enrollment. The committee agreed on the necessity of joint discussions with the Board of Selectmen to navigate the projected financial implications, which could exceed $300,000.

Scheduling challenges for future meetings were a logistical focus, with the committee working to align dates with the Board of Selectmen and the school department. The coordination of these meetings is crucial, as they involve entities comprising a portion of the town’s budget. The committee aimed to finalize agendas for discussions on fixed costs, pensions, benefits, insurance, and other topics.