Despite prior communications with the town council and town manager, no significant headway had been made. Members voiced concerns that without timely action, the merger might not be presented at the upcoming special town meeting. The chair suggested that pursuing a citizen petition to draft the bylaw language might bypass the sluggish channels and propel the merger forward. This suggestion sparked a dialogue among members about the origins of the initial drafts of the merger proposal, which remained unclear.

Questions arose about whether the town’s bylaw review committee, which meets every five years, would take up the merger before its next cycle. Skepticism loomed regarding the committee’s timeline, with some members questioning if the committee would even form this year. Given the uncertainty, members emphasized the need for direct communication with the town manager to expedite the process. It was suggested that a face-to-face meeting could provide clarity on the status of the merger and the bylaw review committee’s formation, as ongoing email and phone communication had failed to yield satisfactory responses.

Administrative challenges compounded the situation, as the town manager faced a high turnover of administrative assistants. A proposal to hire a contract administrative assistant at $80 per hour was deemed too expensive, highlighting the overwhelming workload of the town manager. This administrative issue underscored the urgency for improved support to facilitate the merger process and other town functions.

Financial matters were also discussed, with the APDC’s budget fully allocated to the Hometown Heroes program for the fiscal year. The conversation then shifted to the Lunenburg municipal building project, where a proposal was made for the APDC to have formal representation on the design committee. The proposal aimed to ensure the preservation of two historic structures and the Brooks House, emphasizing the commission’s interest in these buildings. A motion was made to recommend that the select board appoint an APDC member to the municipal building design committee, which was unanimously approved.

Further discussions revealed a need for improvements to the town’s administrative functions, with ongoing conversations involving the select board and town manager. Interest from the school committee in the Brooks House was noted, contrasting past interactions. The speaker stressed the importance of having a voice in discussions regarding the town’s historic facilities, which would be crucial in shaping future plans.

Updates on the municipal building project included modifications to the original contract, such as the decision to paint only up to the roofline to reduce costs. However, the omission of a handicap ramp and additional work on the chimney and slate roofing were noted. The repair of wooden gutters was positively received, as they were lined with rubber roofing.