The meeting commenced with a continued public hearing on the gravel permit application from LJ Development LLC, represented by James and Cathy A. Slay. The application concerned a site on Troni Avenue, falling under special use regulations governed by zoning bylaws. An attorney for the applicant requested an extension until April to explore alternative access routes for the gravel extraction project. This request was driven by the need to complete several studies, including a traffic analysis and a hydrologic study, which had not yet begun. Concerns were raised about the timeline, particularly with potential changes in board membership due to an upcoming election in May. If new members were elected, there might be complications in voting on the application, as they would not have been part of the initial hearings.

The application process was further complicated by the potential need to “reconstitute the board” should membership change, which would entail restarting the public hearing process with proper notifications. The applicant’s legal counsel expressed concern about the impact of board changes on the application’s timeline and emphasized the necessity of the applicant remaining informed about these developments. Despite the particulate matter study having started, other required studies, including a title search, had yet to be provided to the board.

In response to these concerns, the board discussed whether to engage peer-review consultants to assist in the application review process. This approach would allow for continued progress while awaiting necessary studies and information from the applicant. Ultimately, a motion was made and approved to continue the public hearing to February 27, 2025, with the expectation that all studies would be completed by that date. Additionally, the board adopted Chapter 44, Section 53G, establishing a funding mechanism for the peer review process.

Attention then shifted to the fire department, following the resignation of Fire Chief O’Neal. The board discussed the need for an interim chief to ensure operational continuity. The assistant chief had reached out to retired chiefs from nearby areas to assist in posting a job listing for a candidate to manage day-to-day operations and payroll. A commitment of 30 to 40 hours per week was proposed for this role, relieving current staff from additional administrative burdens. The assistant chief emphasized the importance of swiftly filling the position, stating, “I think that’s the best thing going forward.”

The discussion included concerns about the department’s leadership structure. The assistant chief confirmed effective communication with the deputy chief and assured the board of the department’s operational readiness with its current staffing level. A motion was made to accept Chief O’Neal’s resignation and waive the standard 60-day notice requirement, enabling a faster transition. The board agreed to expedite the job posting process, with ads to be distributed through various associations and platforms, allowing for a full month of applications.

Additionally, the board addressed zoning violations and licensing issues concerning liquor and entertainment licenses. Ongoing allegations of zoning violations prompted a complex discussion about the intertwined nature of zoning laws and licensing processes. For a property potentially being zoned inappropriately for liquor use, the board had to consider zoning status, proximity to residential areas, and the concentration of existing licenses, all critical factors influencing their decisions.

The board debated the terms of an entertainment license, focusing on operating hours and their alignment with local noise ordinances. Suggestions were made to amend the license’s hours and descriptions to ensure consistency across all licensing documents. Concerns were voiced over the lack of town-owned equipment for measuring noise levels, complicating enforcement efforts. While an officer had a personal device for such measurements, the town lacked official calibrated instruments, raising questions about maintaining compliance with noise regulations.