The standout moment from the meeting was the board’s decision to pursue Purple Heart Community status. This designation requires the town to have a Purple Heart recipient within the community and to issue a proclamation, recognizing August 7 as National Purple Heart Day. The town clerk outlined the steps needed for the official designation, which includes applying for signage to honor Purple Heart recipients.

The board also tackled the contentious issue of the Taylor Street truck exclusion. The hearing attracted public interest, with most comments opposing the lifting of the exclusion. Concerns focused on potential impacts to traffic patterns and neighborhood safety. Notifications about the hearing were sent to 177 addresses, extending outreach beyond Taylor Street to include other nearby areas potentially affected. The board acknowledged the need for a comprehensive examination of traffic patterns and safety concerns before making any changes.

A notable participant, Jason Bur, voiced concerns about the congested left-turn lane into the high school from Kimble Street. He suggested deploying a police officer to direct traffic during peak hours as a cost-effective measure to ease congestion. Bur also highlighted issues with truck traffic affecting local water sources, referencing a related lawsuit and advocating for a traffic study to assess the situation comprehensively.

Another resident, George S., raised questions about the initiation of the truck exclusion discussion and emphasized the necessity of data-backed decisions. He pointed out the need for pedestrian safety and suggested that any changes be preceded by a thorough traffic study. The board deliberated on the merits and costs of such a study, ultimately deciding to maintain the current exclusion policy while monitoring the situation, especially with future developments involving parks and recreation.

Infrastructure projects were another focal point of the meeting. The board discussed the anticipated bids for work on Street, aiming to commence in the spring, and the ongoing construction impacts on Foster Street. Coordination with state authorities was deemed necessary to finalize road sealing timelines affected by recent work. The discussion concluded with the acknowledgment that construction would pause for the season, though demolition permits might be sought in the spring for remaining elements.

In terms of community board appointments, the select board approved Karen Barry’s appointment to the Cultural Council and Eric Dera as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator.

The board also approved the use of Littleton Town Common for a “People’s March and Women’s Rally” on January 18, 2025. Additionally, a contract for the design and renovation of tennis courts at Whitcom Field was approved, reflecting ongoing investments in local recreational infrastructure.

The meeting covered updates on the Nagog Orchard lease negotiations, where a draft lease was completed and discussions were set to address issues like tree blight. The board also approved updates to the Host Community Agreement with Sanctuary Medicinals, following edits from the Cannabis Control Commission.

Lastly, the board addressed funding allocations from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), with plans to use $725,000 for the high school HVAC replacement project and approximately $2 million for sewer project bills. The board ensured that the remaining ARPA funds were allocated to eligible projects.