The meeting’s most concern revolved around a contract with Bay State, a vendor whose work has been halted due to non-payment issues. Members of the board expressed disbelief that such a contract could be engaged without their oversight, emphasizing the need for checks and balances in the contracting process. There was a consensus that all contracts should be reviewed by the Town Clerk and verified by the accountant to ensure funding availability before proceeding. One member articulated the board’s position, stating, “We shouldn’t be entering into any contracts for any amount of money that do not have the accountant’s signature.” The absence of a visible contract document has stalled further action, with suggestions made to directly request the contract from Gordon, a key figure in the negotiation process. The urgency of resolving this matter was underscored by vendors’ ongoing payment demands, despite the work stoppage.

Parallel to the contract issue, the board addressed an urgent request from a representative of B FL, a local business, seeking an updated Host Community Agreement (HCA) to prepare for upcoming operations. The Town Administrator explained the necessity to review the current HCA in light of new Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) guidelines. A model agreement was available, yet B FL’s representative had not received it. The board leaned towards using a more robust legal version of the agreement and tasked the Town Administrator with updating it with specific details relevant to B FL. The representative also raised concerns about a monitoring report and a silt fence repair on their property, adding layers of complexity to their request.

Further into the meeting, administrative updates were provided by the Town Administrator, including the transition to a new accountant, Kelly. She has been granted the necessary access to process upcoming warrants, with reminders issued to ensure timely payment submissions to the treasurer. These steps are part of the board’s ongoing efforts to maintain efficient financial management.

The meeting also delved into the funding of historical projects, where confusion about leftover funds from the previous fiscal year was clarified. The Town Administrator reported that these funds, initially thought to roll over, were absorbed into the general fund, leaving only $5,000 for current projects. Despite this limitation, no expenditures had been made, leaving room to utilize the budget for ongoing historical initiatives.

Attention shifted to a water rate study, where an individual named Gordon had requested information. The Town Administrator noted that much of the requested data was irrelevant to town operations but had provided five years of annual reports containing pertinent information. The board expressed concerns over the bond council’s review process, which questioned the completeness of submitted documents, further complicating financial arrangements for ongoing projects.

The board also touched on property sales, reporting an offer received for one of the Nicholls-owned properties, while communication for another remained pending. Hope was expressed for progress in these transactions.

Additional topics included community complaints, notably about “little furry critters” and persistent trash issues, with scheduled inspections for the transfer station. Discussions on possibly increasing transfer station sticker fees due to rising costs were also held. A proposal for a swap shop, with a partially secured budget, aimed to encourage recycling and waste reduction by allowing residents to exchange gently used items.

Concerns were raised about plumbing inspections, questioning the appointed official’s adherence to protocols. The board considered appropriate actions, including potential reprimands or warnings, and the availability of a backup inspector was noted as a contingency.