The alcohol license issue for the HCA highlighted the challenges of serving alcohol in a community space near schools. The board voiced support for the HCA’s application, citing their history of responsibly managing alcohol at events, and recognized the need for cost-effective operations. However, concerns were raised about the blanket nature of the license and the oversight responsibilities of the board. The HCA representatives assured the board that they would adhere to specified conditions and emphasized that alcohol sales would represent only a minor aspect of their activities. To address the concerns, the board considered conditions like restricting alcohol service during school hours.

In tandem with the license debate, the board engaged in discussions about filling a vacancy for a library trustee. Although there was confusion regarding the eligibility of a candidate due to their citizenship status, the board proceeded with the interview. The candidate, who was eventually appointed to a one-month position, shared their vision for the library, focusing on community engagement and the integration of technology.

The board also addressed key town employee appointments and promotions. They approved the promotion of Jessica Lawrence from benefits coordinator to Human Resources Director, recognizing her competencies after an extensive interview process. Moreover, the board unanimously approved the appointment of a new town employee, Ray Stevenson, as the town’s reference technology librarian, with Stevenson’s background in visual fine arts and library science being highlighted.

A new police officer, Benjamin Buz, was appointed during the meeting. Buz emphasized the importance of transparency and building trust within the community and among fellow officers. Aleni Matos, another appointee, was commended for her dedication and unanimously voted as a police academy officer. Justin Capucho, a candidate going through a special 4 plus 1 program, was praised for his passion and unanimously appointed as a police officer. The board underlined the significance of these roles in fostering a sense of community trust.

Another topic was the approval of an increase in the senior work program limit from $1,500 to $2,000. This program allows seniors to volunteer for the town and receive a property tax reduction. The board recognized the value of skilled senior labor and supported the increase, reflecting on the positive impact on the community and the minimal cost to the town.

The meeting also touched upon issues related to the police department, including leadership concerns, transparency, and the selection process for the lieutenant position. The public forum segment revealed unease among residents about the police department’s direction, with one resident questioning the transparency of board meetings and the ability to address the board during public forum sessions.

Proposed general bylaw amendments were discussed, including penalties for wetlands protection violations and allowing non-voters to speak at town meetings. Another amendment involved tracking residents based on annual street listings and census records to include them in town meetings. The Trails Committee presented a plan to hold a forum to gather ideas and concerns about allowing dogs off-leash in certain areas, with a test of alternative dog control approaches proposed.

The board also deliberated on a request to increase the annual limit for the senior work program, showing support for the value seniors bring to the community. Additionally, a public hearing for an all alcoholic beverages license for the HCA was initiated but not concluded within the transcript.

Furthermore, the board conducted a midyear goals evaluation with the police chief, discussing the recruitment of qualified officers and the development of command staff. The police chief updated the board on the recruitment process and the promotion of internal candidates. The board also inquired about the status of the acting police chief and who was running the department.

The town manager’s search was another focal point, with Community Paradigm presenting their recruitment process, including community engagement and thorough background checks for candidates. The search aimed for completion by July 1st, with the board discussing the timeline and construction of the interview boards for various managerial positions.

Lastly, the board addressed concerns about a property with a house partially on town-owned land, leading to a request for the town to collaborate on a mutually beneficial resolution. They considered declaring the parcel surplus and potentially offering it to abutters or using the unique acquisition principle before voting to put the issue on the special town meeting warrant.