The board’s discussion centered on a proposal related to the state’s SMART program, which incentivizes solar project development with an emphasis on aiding low-income customers. The program will not involve physical construction within Lunenburg, as the project will be located in Ashby, but it represents a financial transaction benefiting the town’s residents. A representative explained that the program is designed to automatically enroll eligible low-income customers, who would be informed of their participation via mail. This approach ensures that customers receive bill reductions without dealing with complex enrollment processes.

Concerns about potential hidden drawbacks were raised, with one board member noting the proposal seemed “too good to be true.” However, the representative clarified that the program’s costs are already incorporated into customer bills. The urgency of finalizing the agreement was underscored by the possibility of diminishing federal incentives due to changes in the Inflation Reduction Act.

The board’s approval was contingent upon the understanding that the program would be opt-out for eligible customers, meaning automatic inclusion unless a customer declines participation. Eligibility criteria will be determined by the utility company, based on factors such as federal poverty levels and qualification for free school lunches or state benefits.

In addition to the solar initiative, the board addressed several other matters. The town manager provided updates on staffing challenges within the finance department, highlighting the ongoing recruitment for key positions including finance director and payroll and benefits administrator. External consulting support is currently engaged to stabilize operations during this transitional phase. The town manager emphasized that the difficulties faced are operational rather than financial, with efforts underway to streamline processes between the town and school payroll teams.

Health insurance negotiations were also a topic of discussion, with the town’s providers reaching an agreement to keep UMass Memorial Health in-network, which was seen as positive news for employees and retirees. However, this agreement may result in higher insurance rates. The town is set to continue negotiations with the Public Employee Committee (PEC), with updates anticipated following a scheduled meeting.

The board also focused on improving communication strategies among local boards, committees, and commissions. In light of recent concerns about inadequate communication, particularly before the special town meeting, a board member proposed issuing a formal statement addressing these challenges. The member stressed the importance of fostering collaboration and transparency, with a draft letter circulated for feedback. The board agreed on the necessity of improving communication and committed to reviewing the letter to ensure a constructive tone.

Annual license renewals were discussed, with particular attention to establishments facing compliance issues. The board approved the renewal of applications presented in the agenda after confirming that all current liquor licenses remain valid through the end of the year. Communication with applicants was emphasized to ensure all necessary requirements are met.

As the meeting concluded, the town manager clarified communication efforts related to a warrant article from the November special town meeting. The clarification aimed to rectify misunderstandings about the school committee’s involvement, promoting transparency and accountability. Upcoming projects and committee reports were briefly reviewed, with the board preparing to enter an executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategies.