In the meeting, school bus drivers brought pressing safety issues to the board’s attention, particularly incidents on Elm Street where drivers ignored red lights while buses were boarding or dropping off students. One driver recounted multiple violations in a single week, emphasizing the danger posed to children. The drivers urged the board to implement measures such as public service announcements to educate drivers on the importance of stopping for school buses. Board members expressed concern and discussed possible solutions, including installing cameras on buses to capture violators’ license plates, as seen in other states.

A consensus emerged on the need for community awareness and education, given the predictable nature of bus schedules. Another resident raised concerns about malfunctioning crossing lights at a key intersection, further highlighting the urgency of addressing public safety infrastructure.

Moving to fiscal matters, representatives from DPC Engineering presented a proposal to increase water and sewer rates. The current financial status of Hatfield’s Enterprise Fund was discussed, with representatives recommending a rate change for the second half of FY 25 to prevent a steep hike in the future. For sewer rates, an increase from $11.96 to $13.87 per 100 cubic feet was proposed, representing a 16% increase. Similarly, water rates were suggested to rise from $6.31 to $7.77 per 100 cubic feet, a 12% increase. The board acknowledged the necessity of these changes to ensure sufficient revenue for anticipated costs and to maintain the financial health of the town’s water and sewer systems.

The financial outlook for Hatfield also included a projection of combined reserves estimated at $900,000 to $950,000 by the end of FY 26. This was noted to be over half of the town’s operating budget, with discussions emphasizing the need to address unexpected financial challenges. A public hearing for the rate changes was suggested to be scheduled on December 3rd, with an urgency to finalize decisions before the January budgeting season.

In addition to these main topics, the board discussed several ongoing and upcoming projects. Updates on grant projects related to sewer and water asset management were provided, with fieldwork and pilot phases underway. The Main Street Culvert restoration project faced delays due to a contractor’s failure to provide required documentation. The board considered authorizing a notice to proceed pending receipt of necessary insurance, to avoid further delays.

A complaint about the maintenance of elementary school grounds led to discussions about delineating responsibilities between the school department and the Department of Public Works. The board expressed frustration over past miscommunications and emphasized the need for clear job descriptions to prevent future issues.

The meeting also touched on financial updates, including the certification of free cash and collection rates for water and sewer. The board discussed outstanding projects, such as the Council on Aging Center’s flooring and the allocation of remaining ARPA funds for fire department personal protective equipment.

Finally, the board addressed staffing challenges faced by rural fire departments, particularly concerning ambulance staffing regulations. The involvement of the director of rural affairs was seen as a positive step toward potential regulatory changes to ease staffing constraints.