The focus of the meeting was the town’s equipment needs, particularly the replacement of a front-end loader, street sweeper, and backhoe – crucial for the Highway department’s operations. The board debated the longevity and associated costs of these replacements, taking into account the impact of inflation on the town’s finances. The Highway department’s budget requests highlighted a 5% increase for the Highway survey and potential future purchases, such as a new street sweeper, which sparked discussions about the balance between repairing existing equipment and investing in new machinery.

Another considerable issue was the street lighting budget. The board addressed the repairs and maintenance of street lights, considering the transition to newer styles and the complexities involved. The need for a licensed electrician to safely execute these tasks was emphasized, given the hazards of working around power lines.

The trash budget discussion centered on the contract with Crepo Hill for curbside pickup, with the board contemplating the rising costs of trash disposal due to increasing diesel fuel and plastic prices. The possibility of raising revenue by increasing the cost of trash bags was brought up as a potential solution to offset these expenses.

The Board of Health budget was also reviewed, paying special attention to salary and wage increases and allocating $55,000 for outside technical services to hire professionals for fields such as engineering when necessary. The purchase of new vehicles for the building department and the Board of Health was also considered.

A administrative concern was the proposal of a $50,000 increase to the Human Resources budget, prompted by the growing number of town employees and the need for dedicated HR management. The town’s current HR process was described as disjointed, with members acknowledging the risk of lawsuits from former employees and the importance of proper documentation. The idea of hiring a part-time HR staff member or seeking external HR support was discussed, with the Town Administrator emphasizing the urgency of addressing the HR needs.

The Board of Selectmen also debated the town hall’s space constraints, discussing the potential for annexing additional space and the associated costs, including setting up a server at the annex. They reviewed changes in the budget, noting an increase in the Community Program Director’s event budget and additional funds for tower leases related to radio communications.

The meeting culminated with the board scheduling a future session to delve into the Omnibus budget and formulate recommendations.