The board unanimously approved the appointment of Sandra Fille as a dispatcher in the Communications Department. The Town Administrator detailed Sandra’s qualifications, mentioning her business ownership background and CPR certification. Sandra is set to attend the dispatch Academy in September and undergo internal training, with an expected readiness by Thanksgiving. This hiring approach is anticipated to become a trend in the coming years.

A notable portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the Town Administrator bylaw draft. Town Council Ethan Dy provided an overview of the draft, explaining the rationale for formalizing the Town Administrator’s roles and responsibilities. The discussion explored the range of options from having no bylaw to adopting a charter for broader governance changes. Dy emphasized that a bylaw would ensure continuity and clarity in governance, especially for future boards that may lack the context of current members. The bylaw would not grant powers that overlap with statutory boards, but special legislation could be considered to expand the Town Administrator’s authority further.

Concerns were raised about the process of amending bylaws and the potential implications if the town decided to alter the structure of the Town Administrator’s responsibilities after establishing a bylaw. It was explained that general bylaw amendments could be reverted within a town meeting cycle, while changes involving special acts would require legislative approval, a process that could take considerable time. The discussion also touched on the procedural aspects of submitting a petition to the Massachusetts General Court if there was opposition from town boards.

The board also discussed the importance of maintaining strong communication and advocacy with local representatives at the state level. Comparisons were made to neighboring towns operating under a town manager system, highlighting the variability of authority granted to town managers based on their charters.

Another topic was the evaluation of the Town Administrator. The evaluation process was outlined, including the selection of specific goals for review and the use of a streamlined format with five rating categories. There was a discussion about incorporating staff input, with some members suggesting a 360-degree feedback mechanism, while others expressed concerns about potential discomfort for staff. The complexities of public and private evaluations were discussed, emphasizing the need for a clear understanding of the purpose of each evaluation type.

The meeting also reviewed several major capital projects, including the renovation of the library and fire station. The board discussed the potential funding for an elevator installation as part of the library renovation, which had not been previously accounted for in the town’s budget. They highlighted the importance of planning and securing funding for these projects in a timely manner.

For the fire station renovation, bids for the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) were due by the end of September, with the aim of selecting an OPM by the end of October. The timeline for the renovations was emphasized, with estimates suggesting that design completion would take 60 to 90 days following the selection of the OPM. However, concerns were raised that the project may not be ready in time for the Spring Town Meeting, potentially delaying any action until the following fall or even into 2026.

The board also addressed ongoing projects involving the cranberry bog house and the Department of Public Works (DPW) renovations. The cranberry bog house was under assessment for Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funds, which could facilitate affordable housing initiatives. The DPW project involved evaluating costs associated with renovating the current facility versus constructing a new one, with a realistic timeline extending to 2027 or 2028.

Additional discussions covered the repair of three elevators in town, with the overall cost escalating to approximately $1 million. The Municipal Facilities Committee (MFC) plans to utilize its funds for the design and possible bidding of this project.

The board reviewed the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, particularly for the fire station project’s OPM. The importance of reserving ARPA funds for the OPM was emphasized to avoid seeking additional funding at a town meeting, which could delay the project.