At the forefront of the meeting, the discussion on the town’s infrastructure and capital project funding took precedence. Central to the talks was the Elm Street improvement project, which includes a comprehensive redesign aimed at implementing complete streets initiatives. The proposal for Elm Street considered narrowing sidewalks, adding tree belts, and including bike lanes. The project’s importance was underscored by its potential benefits to the town’s infrastructure and its impact on pedestrian and cyclist safety. The board discussed the necessity for public input on the proposed changes and reviewed potential funding sources, such as grant applications and the municipal Americans with Disabilities Act Improvement fund. The timeline for the construction was a focal point, with aims for completion by spring or summer 2025.

The shared streets and spaces sidewalk project on North Main Street was also a subject of interest, with the intent to improve pedestrian access and safety through the introduction of rectangular rapid flashing beacons at crosswalks. Concerns about the safety of certain areas and the impact on local businesses during construction were raised, and the importance of coordinating this project with Elm Street’s development was emphasized to maximize the benefits.

Moving on to fiscal matters, the board engaged in a comprehensive debate on budget recommendations, which included a variety of cost-saving measures. A reduction in select board staff salaries and Administration expense was considered. The Council on Aging budget was ultimately reduced to $250, despite concerns over future funding needs. Other financial discussions centered on the possibility of deferring the school flooring capital project to the next fiscal year to save $27,000, reducing the number of days the transfer station is open, and seeking payroll budget savings, particularly within the police department. The chief voiced concerns about relinquishing any funds.

In the realm of education, transparency and communication about the school budget were highlighted as areas requiring improvement. The school choice account was scrutinized for its current balance and the necessity of holding a certain amount for emergencies. The board deliberated the potential for capital spending delays and agreed on the need to revisit the capital listing in the future.

Further, the debate on the town building maintenance budget was intensely focused on whether to keep the maintenance budget at $25,000 or to reallocate it, allowing unused funds to roll over into free cash. The capacity of the staff to manage multiple maintenance projects and the impact of fund reallocation on staff time were points of contention. The capital fund of $52,000, designated for specific town building repairs but remaining unutilized, was questioned regarding its reversion to free cash.

A motion to reduce the Town Building Maintenance budget to $93,800 spurred a discussion on the maintenance of various town buildings and whether the reduction would impact their upkeep. The vote on this motion did not pass, and the desire for clarity on fund allocation for maintenance and capital expenses was expressed. The Select Board planned to review the warrant at the next meeting and schedule additional meetings if necessary, acknowledging the finance committee’s efforts.