The meeting commenced with a moment of silence to honor several community members who had recently passed away. This was followed by a discussion regarding the expansion of a committee related to voting rights. The Board deliberated on the qualifications of potential members, emphasizing the importance of balancing administrative expertise with community representation. A motion was successfully passed to include the assistant superintendent as a voting member, while other educational representatives were assigned non-voting roles.

Another topic of the meeting revolved around the legal representation for the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Board debated whether to continue retaining attorney Margaret Mitchell due to her extensive experience and familiarity with ongoing matters. Concerns were raised about creating a precedent of multiple legal counsels for town boards, prompting a suggestion to consult with Attorney Costa for further guidance. The Board ultimately decided to table the discussion until ZBA representatives could provide their insights.

In a related matter, the Board reviewed a proposal for the appointment of Margaret Mitchell as legal counsel for the ZBA. While some members appreciated Mitchell’s longstanding service and proposed retaining her at no additional cost, others echoed Attorney Costa’s advice against the move, fearing inconsistent legal advice from different law firms. The discussion revealed differing perspectives on balancing the ZBA’s need for specific legal expertise with the broader goal of maintaining consistency across the town’s legal matters.

The Board also discussed a request for the use of town facilities by a homeowners association, which included a waiver request for the Certificate of Insurance. The Board decided to approve the facilities request but not waive the insurance fee, addressing concerns about potential costs to the town.

Economic development was another focal point of the meeting, with Dan Higgins from the Dighton Development and Industrial Commission proposing a name change to the Dighton Economic Development Committee. This change was aimed at better representing the committee’s objectives and activities, which include supporting local businesses through various initiatives such as a “shop local” campaign and an online business directory. The Board unanimously approved the name change.

Public input during the meeting brought attention to the preliminary school budget presented by Superintendent Bill Rooney, which proposed a 4.3% increase from the previous year. A resident urged the Board to advocate for increased Chapter 70 funding from the state, emphasizing the importance of securing adequate educational funding. The Town Administrator provided updates on budget discussions with department heads, signaling the ongoing efforts to address financial concerns.

In other business, the Board addressed the resignation of Dakota Ren Bartell, who transitioned to a new role in Taunton. The Board acknowledged the impact of his departure and agreed to postpone advertising the vacancy due to a hiring freeze. Additionally, the Board approved the appointment of Patricia Olen to the Council on Aging and Steven Ferrera as a special police officer, both without objections.

The meeting concluded with discussions on various town matters, including the enforcement of a townwide parking ban, upcoming community events, and the disposal of surplus equipment. The Board also received public input on the firing range noise complaints and the potential implications of budget decisions on future town meetings.