The board’s decision to oppose the Hanscom Airfield development came after a review of the implications such a project could have on the community.

Discussions about the Highland building’s future were also prominent during the meeting. The building, currently under the school committee’s jurisdiction, was debated for its potential uses, including transformation into innovative educational spaces or administrative offices. The Select Board and the school committee engaged in a joint discussion, with the latter expressing concerns over future enrollment increases and space requirements for smaller group instruction. Nonetheless, the Select Board was keen on finding a practical use for the building. Estimates for renovation ranged from a few million dollars to potentially five million for new construction, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of funding sources, including grants and the historical preservation of the building.

The topic of shared services between the school committee and the town was another key focus of the meeting. The Select Board discussed various opportunities for collaboration, aiming to streamline internal services such as finance, maintenance, human resources, and recreational programming. These discussions pointed to the practical challenges involved in consolidating maintenance budgets and operational processes across town and school departments. The board also explored the idea of creating a centralized professional maintenance plan for town buildings and equipment to address maintenance backlog and ensure cost savings. The concept of a soft merger of operations between town and schools was considered successful, with suggestions to merge funds and funding for a more unified approach.

Furthermore, the allocation of ARPA funds was examined, with particular attention to the $880,000 in unallocated funds and their potential use to support the Corey Auditorium’s lighting and safety upgrades at the Carlisle Public Schools. The board also considered the procurement of an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) for the renovation projects at the Gleason Public Library and the Carlisle Police Station, discussing the OPM’s role in the design phase and the selection of architects.

The Friends of Center Park presented an update on their activities and sought continued support from the Select Board for a proposed shed to store maintenance tools and equipment. The board requested additional information on the shed’s costs and debated the appropriate process for requesting town funds for such projects. The board also considered a change in the oversight of the Center Park’s irrigation system, potentially transferring responsibility from the Friends of the Park to the Department of Public Works.

In recognition of community contributions, the board accepted a donation for pickleball equipment and approved signage for a local block party. Additionally, the Town Administrator was awarded a scholarship to attend a management conference, and a motion to adjourn was made at 9:30 p.m.