18:42A primary focus was the condition of the historic church steeple, which requires extensive repairs beyond a simple paint job. A local resident, Paul Oeski, described the necessity of renting a lift to address the steeple’s dire structural needs, which had been a concern for several years. The board agreed to proceed with painting the front of the church while awaiting further details on the steeple’s condition. Although the paint color was not finalized, the board reached a consensus to start the project with an approximate cost of $7,200.

25:52Simultaneously, the board moved forward with the 1888 building project by awarding a $5,933,000 contract to WJ Mountford, Inc., contingent on finalizing contracts with the USDA within two weeks. This project is a financial commitment and involves ongoing discussions regarding funding and contract stipulations.

30:18In another major policy discussion, the board considered the implementation of the Heroes Act, which introduces new property tax exemptions for veterans. Two tax relief measures were proposed: one adjusting the exemption for disabled veterans based on the consumer price index and another allowing a percentage increase in the exemption. These measures, although beneficial to veterans, would require careful financial consideration and further discussions with the finance committee to evaluate the town’s fiscal responsibilities alongside supporting veterans.

42:55Further topics included updates to the town’s personnel manual, focusing on attendance and vacation policies to enhance recruitment and flexibility for town employees. Proposed amendments included granting more vacation time to attract mid-career professionals and revising attendance policies to accommodate the modern, irregular work schedules of exempt employees. These changes aim to address recruitment challenges and better meet the needs of new hires.

48:24The board also addressed the South County Ambulance Service (SCAMS) agreement. There was a consensus on engaging in dialogue with SCAMS to ensure the agreement aligns with the community’s evolving needs while maintaining operational efficiency.

56:41On infrastructure, the board discussed the Still Water Bridge project, which is currently stalled pending state legislative approvals related to Article 97. The board is in discussions with state agencies to resolve these issues and move forward with the $50 million worth of stalled projects. The development of a new road at the transfer station site was also highlighted, with plans to commence construction in the fall and complete a solar array installation by fall 2026.

45:16In personnel matters, the board made appointments, including Gretchen Baski to the Tritown Beach Commission and Mary Raymond to the Capital Improvement Planning Committee. Additionally, the search for a new town accountant concluded with the board entering contract negotiations with Holly Drake, whose extensive municipal finance experience was deemed beneficial for the town’s needs.

28:42Lastly, the board approved a change order to extend the deadlines for the Bloody Brook and Sugarloaf Brook Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness projects to June 2026, following successful negotiations for public information sessions.