One of the meeting’s primary focuses was the approval of a liquor license manager change for the Deerfield Inn and Champney’s Restaurant and Tavern. This change was necessary after the previous manager’s departure. Laura Marowski, Vice President for Finance and Administration at Historic Deerfield, and Kyle Gutowski, the interim innkeeper, presented the request for this change. Gutowski, who has been with the organization for five years, highlighted his qualifications, including certifications such as TIPs training and Serve Safe kitchen management. He assured the board of a high compliance rate among staff, with “about a 95% compliance” for TIP certification among bartenders. The board inquired about the interim status of Gutowski and the timeline for appointing a permanent manager, which had not yet been posted. After a thorough discussion of the background checks associated with the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission application and reassurances of the serving staff’s safety and competency, the board approved the change of manager.

In another discussion, the board examined a proposal regarding compensation for two newly established EMS Lieutenant positions. Chief Sparks of South County EMS outlined the necessity for these roles to enhance supervisory coverage during his absence. He proposed a department-specific compensation plan, given the unique demands of EMS personnel compared to other town roles. The board expressed concerns about budget implications and sought further analysis to understand the financial impact before making a decision.

Additionally, the board addressed the allocation of ARPA funds, with discussions focusing on remaining funds that needed to be designated by the end of the year. The board confirmed the ongoing status of the Depot Road project and discussed potential allocations for the 188 building project. Mention was made of preliminary studies, such as a Geotech boring project and a hazardous materials study. The board decided to reserve the remaining ARPA funds for the 188 building project after settling Depot Road project costs, with a unanimous motion supporting this decision. This allocation aims to alleviate taxpayer burdens by using federal funds for necessary town improvements.

The board also reviewed various personnel matters, including the resignation of full-time Police Officer James Fitzgerald and an open space committee member, Susan. They discussed appointing Tim Drum as the employee representative on the Personnel Board, filling the vacancy left by Cassie Drome’s resignation. The motion to appoint Drum passed unanimously. Discussions also covered the need for a representative on the tri-town cable advisory committee, emphasizing the importance of cable access and local negotiations.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to infrastructure and community planning. The board announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new parking lot, planned for Friday, with representatives from state and federal agencies in attendance. This event marks the opening of the parking lot for public use, featuring newly installed electric vehicle chargers. Additionally, discussions on the Still Water Bridge project revealed optimism regarding land acquisition challenges, and the board explored funding opportunities for future sidewalk projects through Complete Streets funding.

The town’s financial status was also discussed in relation to the Frontier Regional School, with a noted excess of $72,400 exceeding the 5% budget threshold. Despite this, confidence in the school’s budget management remained high due to its support in previous budget cycles.