The meeting began with a discussion about the challenges facing the Board of Health, particularly the need for grant funding to support local health initiatives. These initiatives include blood drives, flu vaccinations, and drug abuse support programs. Securing such grants is important for the board’s ability to serve the community effectively. The conversation also highlighted the need for someone with a deep understanding of specific issues, such as trash bag regulations, recycling, and septic systems.

One candidate interviewed for the Board of Health position emphasized their extensive background in public policy and law, with a focus on disability issues. They also had significant experience in grant writing and collaborating with state and federal agencies. Despite lacking direct experience with Title V septic systems, the candidate expressed a strong willingness to learn and adapt. They highlighted their 20-year tenure at the Department of Revenue, where they taught audit procedures and managed budgets, as well as their experience running a personal business.

Another candidate for the Board of Health brought nearly four decades of experience with the Department of Public Health and had served in various supervisory roles. This candidate underscored the need for effective leadership within the Board of Health, advocating for clear communication and well-defined roles to avoid past issues that led to talented individuals leaving the board. They also stressed the importance of hiring a public nurse and a health agent to enhance the board’s functionality.

The deliberation over the appointments revealed a divide among the Selectmen. One member recommended candidates Tammy Melo and Vincent Herbert, citing their well-rounded experiences and potential to enhance the board. Another member raised concerns about the existing commitments of candidate Len Hall. This member emphasized project management skills as a critical asset for the board’s effectiveness.

The debate became heated, with members defending their preferences and discussing the need for stability and experience versus the benefits of new members. One member recalled a past incident involving the Board of Health that caused issues, arguing that the board needed to demonstrate unity and cooperation to move forward effectively.

Ultimately, the board made a motion to accept Tammy Melo for the Board of Health, which passed. The subsequent motion to accept Vincent Herbert faced disagreement, leading to a proposal to table the discussion on the second position for further deliberation. The motion to table was seconded and voted in favor.

In addition to the Board of Health appointments, the Selectmen addressed several other topics. The meeting included a review of the Bristol County Agricultural High School debt exclusion question. The board approved revisions to the ballot question to clarify potential voter confusion by removing the word “new” to better reflect the nature of the renovations.

The board also examined a memorandum of understanding for local police officers. After confirming that the agreement had undergone previous legal review, the board approved the memorandum without objection.

Budget management was another issue discussed during the meeting. The board addressed end-of-year line item transfers, highlighting concerns about the lack of backup documentation related to budget transfer requests. Specific budgetary issues were discussed, including an overpayment to a consultant and the necessity of recovering these funds. The conversation underscored procedural inadequacies and the need for more oversight and accountability in future financial matters.

The challenges related to permit issuance and budget management were also highlighted. One member expressed concern over the inability to meet permit deadlines, noting that the staff member responsible for these tasks only works eight hours a week. The board acknowledged that they had reassigned budget-related responsibilities to a volunteer due to the complications that had arisen.

The board approved transfer number 14 for $1,500 to address a projected negative balance due to two legal bills. They also approved transfer number 16 for an additional $200 needed to keep the conservation budget positive. The discussion revealed a communication breakdown regarding the need to prepare a year’s worth of invoices for the meeting.

Vacation carryover requests were another topic of discussion. The board noted that the fire department had two employees requesting 96 hours of carryover time without explanation. Members clarified contractual allowances for different departments and agreed that employees should adhere to their contractual limits. A motion to approve the fiscal year 2024 vacation carryover requests without exceptions to contractual limits was passed.

The meeting continued with discussions about warrants. A motion was made regarding warrants paid through June 30, 2024, with amounts needing clarification. As discrepancies in numbers surfaced, the member amended the motion to reflect the correct warrant amounts, and the board approved the new motion.

During the public input segment, attendees expressed concerns about the Board of Health’s performance and the need for unity among the Selectmen. One attendee emphasized the importance of collaboration and urged members to set aside personal grievances for the betterment of the town. Another member of the audience supported the idea of fresh perspectives within the board.

The conversation concluded with a motion to table the discussion on the Board of Health. The board collectively agreed on this approach.