Amid these discussions, the proposed acquisition of 71 Sandy Pond Road emerged as a significant agenda item. With a total purchase price set at $700,000, the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) suggested contributing $350,000 from Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. The remaining amount was to be sourced from a combination of udag, ARPA, and potentially free cash. The board dissected three distinct funding proposals, each presenting a different mix of udag and ARPA funds to finance the purchase, pending town meeting approval.

The urgency to expend the remaining ARPA funds before the December 31st deadline was a recurring theme, driven by advice from town auditors to avert federal clawbacks. This advice was a driving force behind the various deliberations, including the unexpected $310,500 bill from Minute Man Nuba Health Group. The board weighed options to settle this bill, considering the use of free cash, ARPA funds, or a combination of the two. The necessity for proper documentation to fend off any federal reclaiming of funds was a point of consensus.

The debate around the ARPA funds extended to forward funding pensions. A member discussed how the utilization of ARPA funds for a medical bill would allow the town to advance pension funding. This move was considered alongside the potential purchase of 71 Sandy Pond Road and the balancing act between using udag and ARPA funds for these purposes. The board anticipated presenting a condensed version of their deliberations to the select board.

Furthermore, the meeting touched upon the possibility of surplus funds resulting from the health insurance budget. Participants discussed the prospect of receiving funds back from their trust fund in the future, juxtaposed with the introduction of a new insurance carrier in July and the unpredicted nature of a $300,000 bill.

The board also planned the format for the forthcoming public budget forum. The scheduling of the next meeting for April 11th was confirmed.