A critical focus of the meeting was the public outcry over the MBTA’s construction activities impacting the Beaconsfield neighborhood. Residents voiced their dissatisfaction with the town’s handling of zoning changes and the increasing number of 40B developments, which they claimed were being pursued for higher profit margins at the expense of affordable housing units. One resident emphasized that these developments bypass local regulations, resulting primarily in market-rate housing, and urged the Select Board to uphold the zoning consensus painstakingly achieved by the community.

Eli Litfin, a resident of Beaconsfield Road, detailed the disruptions caused by the MBTA’s construction projects, which have been ongoing for nearly seven years. Litfin described the neighborhood as a “permanent overnight construction yard,” with excessive noise and disruption from late-night deliveries and early morning construction work. A lack of communication from the MBTA, including an absence of community meetings and advance notices, was highlighted as a concern. Litfin requested the Select Board’s assistance in securing five critical actions, such as ceasing the use of Beaconsfield Station as a staging yard and implementing noise mitigation measures.

Additionally, the board addressed communication issues with the MBTA, particularly concerning the Mammoth Court and Beaconsfield projects. Efforts to improve communication with MBTA leadership were noted, with an emphasis on ensuring residents’ concerns reach the project managers responsible for on-the-ground decisions.

The meeting also tackled the formation of a Real Property Asset Board, intended to make recommendations on the town’s property needs and strategies for selling or leasing assets. The board debated whether the proposed committee could effectively pursue proactive real estate opportunities, with some members expressing doubts about its capacity to make decisions aligned with the Select Board’s authority. There was a suggestion to possibly rescind a previous vote to create the committee, as some felt it had not received the examination it warranted.

The Select Board further delved into the management of the town’s unfunded liabilities, specifically focusing on Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB), which include health insurance for retirees and surviving spouses. The board reviewed a revised policy that aims to direct the runoff from the pension fund, projected to be fully paid off by fiscal year 2030, towards reducing the OPEB liability. Discussions emphasized the necessity of clarity in policy to avoid ambiguity regarding the commitment to OPEB funding, with members expressing concern over the long-term consequences of not addressing the OPEB liability proactively.

Public comments also highlighted dissatisfaction with the board’s 3-2 vote supporting the 429 Harvard Street 40B project. Linda Olsen Pelky, a town meeting member, expressed disappointment in the board’s stance against the community-driven land use planning process initiated in 2022. She underscored that the proposal emerging from this process had garnered widespread support, emphasizing the need for the board to align with community interests to maintain predictive outcomes for development in the area.

In addition to these major topics, the board addressed various administrative matters, including the approval of warrant articles for an upcoming special town meeting and revisions to the naming committee’s guidelines.

The meeting concluded with a review of goals and objectives for fiscal year 2027, with an emphasis on establishing metrics and objectives to guide the board’s work over a multi-year horizon. The board recognized the importance of creating realistic and attainable targets, particularly in the context of zoning and revenue growth.