The most development was the establishment of the Tax Aid Committee, a new initiative enabled by a Massachusetts law that allows towns to create a tax mechanism for donations. The committee’s primary goal is to collect and manage funds donated to assist seniors and other residents in need. Five candidates expressed interest in joining the committee: Nicole Roth, Erica Flynn, Lori Brooks, Sandra Monroe, and Andina. The board emphasized the necessity of appointing three residents to the committee and discussed the importance of volunteer involvement in the community.

Nicole Roth introduced herself. She stated, “I was set IX, I would donate all that money. All these people need help.” Erica Flynn, with experience in various town roles, mentioned her interest stemmed from a previous presentation she made on similar issues. She also inquired about the donation process for residents whose taxes are included in their mortgage payments, learning that donations could be made through excise tax payments or directly to the town.

Lori Brooks, a lifelong Dunstable resident, emphasized her 38 years of government experience in budget, finance, and logistics. Andina, with a background as Town Moderator and on the Planning Board, mentioned her legal expertise and experience in goal development. The board discussed the candidates’ qualifications and the potential benefits of having a diverse committee, including financial and legal experts and individuals familiar with community needs.

A board member suggested appointing an alternate to ensure continuity should any primary member be unable to fulfill their role. However, it was clarified that the statute does not allow for alternate members on the committee, which consists of five members: three appointed residents, a treasurer collector, and the chair of the board of assessors. The appointments of Ann Farina, Nicole Roth, and Lori Brooks were confirmed, with their terms expiring on June 30, 2025.

The board also addressed a reimbursement request concerning David Simmons, who had donated property to the town, which now houses a water tank. Simmons had been overcharged taxes on the property due to an administrative error. The board acknowledged the fairness of reimbursing Simmons, who had brought the issue to their attention multiple times. The reimbursement check was accompanied by a letter acknowledging the town’s mistake and apologizing for the oversight.

Next, the board discussed reallocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with an available balance of $1,966,188. Projects under consideration included IT needs, binding vital records, and replacing a failing air handling unit in the town hall. The fire department’s reporting system also required an upgrade, with costs expected to be around $6,500. The board moved to reallocate a total of $19,996 from previously approved allocations, detailing specific amounts for each project, including the newsletter and IT upgrades. The motion passed without further discussion.

The final significant topic was the adoption of a sign policy regulating signs on town property. The absence of Mr. Flynn, who was expected to provide input, was noted. Concerns were raised about the clarity and enforcement of the existing policy, especially in light of negative feedback from the community. It was clarified that the sign policy applies only to property under the jurisdiction of the Select Board and does not extend to properties overseen by other boards or committees.

The necessity for various boards controlling their own lands to adopt similar policies was noted to ensure consistency across the town. The issue of political signs was raised, with participants noting the First Amendment rights involved in sign regulation. The idea of holding a public hearing to allow community input and address concerns about perceived restrictions on free expression was suggested.

Debate ensued regarding the handling of signs for local events not formally sponsored by the town, with questions about whether they could be granted permission to display signs under the current policy. The discussion suggested exercising discretion in allowing nonprofit organizations to promote beneficial events while adhering to the policy’s framework. A reference was made to guidelines from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), stating that municipalities could outlaw signs on public property if applied uniformly across all types of signs.