53:55The public hearing, which focused on a request from Verizon New England and Eversource to support a new three-phase service, was met with opposition from residents worried about the utility installation’s impact on the neighborhood. The facility in question, requiring the three-phase power for a manure bagging machine, has been the subject of long-standing grievances from local residents due to concerns about noise, odor, and environmental implications. A resident cited the noise levels of a tub grinder, which would operate close to residential areas, potentially exceeding World Health Organization noise recommendations. This raised fears not only about noise disturbance but also potential depreciation in property values.

25:50Residents expressed frustration over what they see as the town’s inadequate enforcement of regulations, highlighting perceived disparities in how different entities are treated under the law. They pointed to inconsistent regulatory enforcement, suggesting that while some residents faced fines for non-compliance, others, such as the facility in question, seemed to be operating without similar scrutiny. The lack of documentation and transparency regarding the facility’s operations was also a point of contention, with particular criticism directed at an undated report from the Board of Health, which residents felt undermined its validity.

A particularly vocal resident articulated the community’s discontent, threatening legal action and emphasizing the gravity of the situation by recalling past instances where inaction led to dire consequences. They described their neighborhood’s quality of life as compromised by the facility’s operations.

41:01The board members acknowledged these concerns but clarified that their immediate decision was related to the utility installation rather than the facility’s broader operational issues. Nonetheless, there was an understanding that the two were intrinsically linked, and the board committed to gathering comprehensive information before making any decisions. They suggested the presence of legal counsel in future discussions to ensure all legal and safety considerations are appropriately addressed.

02:29In addition to the utility pole discussion, the board reviewed several significant agenda items related to the upcoming annual and special town meetings scheduled for June 25, 2025. Amendments to the town meeting warrants were approved, notably the repositioning of a water department truck purchase article from the annual to the special meeting for procedural reasons. The board also decided to expand explanations for specific warrant articles to improve clarity, particularly concerning the MBTA Communities Act and veteran tax benefits, with a focus on potential financial impacts of land development.

05:16The board reached a consensus on budgetary adjustments, advocating for increased allocations for land purchase and potential engineering work to avoid future complications from unforeseen geological issues. They proposed raising the budget to $2,550,000 and increasing the allocation for engineering expenses to a range of $50,000 to $100,000.

13:26Further discussions included the approval of the town clerk’s salary and the decision to produce full-sheet colored mailings to inform the public about the upcoming town meetings. The mailings are intended to boost public engagement and provide detailed information about the MBTA Communities Act, among other topics. The board was also keen to hold an informational meeting to clearly distinguish issues related to the act from unrelated concerns, such as train noise complaints.

01:04:51The board also addressed the public entertainment license for the St. John Newman Parish’s Lakeside Festival and procedural matters such as the designation of specific streets for speed limits and the acceptance of donations for the Council on Aging. A proposal for drafting harbor, shellfish, and mooring regulations was discussed, emphasizing community involvement and collaboration among stakeholders.

01:20:30Towards the conclusion, the board acknowledged administrative and contractual matters, including agreements with Coastal Medical Billing for ambulance services and Netrospect LLC for IT support. The resignation of the senior librarian was noted with gratitude, and new appointments were made pending background checks.