The budgetary discussion highlighted the fire department’s efforts to balance training needs with financial constraints by transitioning from large group training sessions that require overtime to smaller, on-duty sessions. Despite these measures, the department continues to face challenges in recruitment and retention. An initiative to have new hires sign a reimbursement agreement for training costs if they left within five years was discontinued due to resistance from recruits. The town’s reliance on residential taxes without a diversified economic base was noted as a significant limitation in addressing these issues. The possibility of increased taxes was discussed as a means to maintain essential services, particularly in light of new apartment developments that could further strain the tax burden.

In addition to the fire department’s concerns, the meeting covered adjustments to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) billing rates. Discussions pointed to a significant gap since the last rate adjustment five years ago, highlighting the need to address the financial structure and revenue generation of the EMS service. The chief noted the demographic challenges faced by the town, where frequent users of the service are often non-residents, leading to concerns about subsidizing healthcare for those outside the community. The potential introduction of a new fee for fire alarm lockouts was also discussed as a means to create additional revenue streams.

The board also examined the town’s financial future, with concerns about a potential “fiscal cliff” affecting various departments, particularly if state funding does not continue as in previous years. The library director presented updates on new services and accomplishments, including the addition of a film streaming service and increased Wi-Fi capacity. The importance of maintaining certification with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners was emphasized.

The town clerk’s office highlighted accomplishments, including acquiring new voting machines and managing the vote-by-mail system’s complexities. The clerk expressed frustration over stagnant salary increases despite increasing responsibilities, pointing out discrepancies in pay compared to other department heads. This issue of fair compensation was echoed in discussions about the fire department’s staffing challenges, emphasizing the need for competitive salaries to attract and retain qualified personnel.

The meeting also touched on various departmental budgets, including animal control and veterans’ services, highlighting the challenges of managing costs while ensuring adequate funding for essential services. The importance of community engagement and support was underscored, with suggestions to utilize gifts and grants to offset rising costs in areas such as animal food and rubbish removal.