The Select Board expressed profound gratitude for Robbins’ contribution, acknowledging its critical role in easing the town’s financial burden. Discussions included the possibility of naming a community room after Robbins to honor his legacy. The expansion project’s funding is further supported by a $5.5 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and additional contributions from library trustees. The Select Board reviewed these funding sources and discussed future borrowing strategies, highlighting that the borrowing required would likely not exceed $7.5 million, and stressed the importance of possibly investing available funds at a higher rate rather than front-loading all necessary amounts.

As part of the financial strategy, the board planned an informational session to detail the funding and borrowing aspects to the public. The board members commended the collaborative efforts that propelled the library project forward, acknowledging the dedication and strategic planning of those involved.

The meeting also tackled other topics, including a issue with a backflow meter at the highway garage. The malfunctioning meter, crucial for preventing contaminated water from entering the town’s drinking supply, had been inspected in May, but the problem only surfaced in November. The urgency of this matter was underscored by the potential fines for non-compliance with EPA regulations. The board stressed the need for immediate remediation, including procuring a new meter and ensuring all backflow meters across town buildings are equipped with rebuild kits, as mandated by state law.

Another discussion focused on the town’s climate leader community designation. An advisory committee presented a report on the steps required to achieve this status, which could unlock grant funding for clean energy projects. The report emphasized the potential benefits of grants for solar installations and energy-efficient initiatives, which could reduce municipal energy expenses. However, some members expressed skepticism about the feasibility of such initiatives given the town’s rural setting and infrastructure challenges. They raised concerns about the exclusive reliance on electric energy sources, especially during extreme weather events that could lead to power outages. The committee clarified that proposed energy code changes would impact only new constructions and not existing systems, mitigating immediate concerns.

Additionally, the Select Board covered a request for funding to aid the planning board in updating bylaws for solar energy projects. The board approved an additional $30,000 from a previously allocated $200,000 to facilitate professional services for these updates, addressing pending and future solar battery energy storage applications. This was followed by a request for $15,000 to provide administrative support to the planning board.

In other business, the board discussed the reallocation of funds from a $350,000 water-related grant. With not all funds expected to be used within the fiscal year, the board approved reallocating $125,000 to design an ozone treatment system, a requirement under a consent order from the Department of Environmental Protection. This was part of ongoing efforts to address the order’s conditions, with some progress already acknowledged by the DEP.