The meeting began with the reorganization of the board following the May elections. Dr. Goldstone was unanimously appointed as the new chair after a discussion highlighting her commitment to addressing significant town issues, such as financial management and housing. She emphasized the need for collaboration among board members, describing governance as a “team sport.” The vice chair position was filled by Mr. Reed, who will also serve as the board’s clerk.

A major concern addressed during the meeting was the structural integrity of North Falmouth Elementary School. Engineering evaluations revealed significant damage to the wooden trusses of the school’s roof, raising safety concerns and the potential need for repairs costing approximately $1.9 million. Fortunately, the town’s insurance policy will cover two-thirds of the damage due to storm-related incidents earlier in the year, alleviating the need for a special town meeting to secure funding. Public comments underscored the urgency of transparency and community engagement in addressing these safety issues. Concerns were raised about the oversight of the roof project, with requests for public access to documentation detailing structural load capacity tests.

Another topic was the board’s approval of funding for two affordable housing projects proposed by the Falmouth Housing Trust. The projects involve constructing single-family homes on Feasant Lane and Brigantine Lane. The board discussed the financing models for these projects, noting differences in donor funding based on area median income levels. The home at Feasant Lane is designated for households at 80% area median income, resulting in a lower sale price and greater need for funding support. The board members expressed support for these initiatives, recognizing their importance in addressing the housing crisis in Falmouth.

In addition to affordable housing, the Select Board approved the formation of a watershed management task force to address the equitable distribution of costs related to projects mandated by the Commonwealth. The task force will advise on fair cost distributions and recommend measurable goals and action steps. The document outlining the task force’s responsibilities was approved, with revisions emphasizing the importance of communication between the task force and the board. The inclusion of a liaison from the select board was proposed to ensure alignment with the board’s priorities.

The board also discussed the adoption of an artificial intelligence policy. The draft policy, modeled on one from Rockland, aims to provide guidelines for AI usage by town employees while ensuring accountability for work products. The conversation highlighted the need for transparency and the potential inclusion of a disclosure requirement for AI-generated outputs. Concerns were raised about the environmental impact of AI, and the board agreed to revisit the topic with a revised draft in future meetings.

In other matters, the board addressed an application from MVC Hospitality Inc. for a lodging house license for the Inn on the Square, with assurances given about the retention of current staff and management continuity. The board also considered an application concerning Bad Martha’s Farmers Brewery, which had faced procedural issues regarding its change of manager application. The brewery’s management assured the board of improvements in communication and neighborhood relations.

Additionally, the board reviewed a local initiative program application for a housing project on Sandwich Road, initially proposing 36 rental units with 13 deed-restricted affordable units. A revised proposal to maintain the 36 units but reduce the affordable ones to 11 was supported by the affordable housing working group. The board expressed appreciation for the developer’s flexibility and encouraged further engagement with the community to address concerns.