During the meeting, the allocation of $20,000 from a $700,000 fund toward land acquisition was approved, and discussions on Municipal Purpose Bond ordinance 2024-14 were brought forward. The ordinance, which addresses safety-related expenditures for the police and fire departments, was met with both support and concern. The timing of purchasing equipment and the decision to incur debt rather than appropriate funds in the operating budget were subjects of discussion. The conversation extended to past financial decisions, including the town’s successful debt refinancing, and calls were made for more efficient and discussions outside of council meetings.

The council’s attention then shifted to public safety, with proposals to improve traffic congestion and safety at the intersections of Southern and River, and Noi and Shunpike. The police chief outlined the need for upgrades, and the council explored cost-sharing agreements with the county. A full-scale review of crosswalks for safety and the financial commitment for these projects were also debated. Further discussions and potential resolutions for intersection improvements were agreed upon.

Another area of focus was the operations of the construction office. The hiring of a building inspector was addressed, with the presentation by Mr. Daniels, the construction official, detailing the increase in administrative workload due to a spike in building and zoning inspections. The council recognized the growing pains of the department, emphasizing the need for additional staff, including a part-time inspector, to handle the workload, which had seen a sharp increase in complaints and inspections compared to the previous year.

The council also tackled the necessity of updating the fee ordinance, which has remained unchanged since 2008, and the need to align fees with similar demographic communities. They discussed introducing charges for services such as fire pump installation and efforts to streamline the application process with improved guides and digital forms. The focus on improving the efficiency of the building permit process aimed to address the backlog of work and resident frustrations, particularly with zoning application reviews and permit approvals.

Land use law and zoning regulations were another focal point, where potential ordinance revisions were contemplated, including limitations on accessory structure sizes and tree permit regulations. The council proposed comprehensive rules for the use of parks and fields, with an emphasis on revenue generation and asset utilization. Resolutions related to an easement for the red brick Schoolhouse and a fire department grant were considered, highlighting the complexities of managing public facilities.

Lastly, the meeting covered discussions on the use of fields, the potential introduction of a fee-based reservation system, and the maintenance of existing properties. The council reviewed several finance-related resolutions, including those for road resurfacing, tennis court changes, and budget amendments for grants and donations. The utilization of fields, particularly by the soccer program at Oak Knoll, was reviewed, with a focus on ensuring the highest and best use of field usage agreements.