The meeting began with public comments where Mr. Burton expressed strong concerns over the town’s lack of response to multiple public document requests he had made since April. He highlighted the protracted resolution process and his need to research Massachusetts law to address the issues himself. Burton described a perceived pattern of retaliation from the town after raising concerns about disparities in tax assessments. He recounted that his family experienced hostility from neighbors, whom he believed sought tax breaks after their own taxes were reduced by 33%. Burton urged the Select Board to investigate these issues, emphasizing his family’s feeling of being “attacked” by elderly neighbors and connecting this to broader concerns about town actions.

Following the public comments, announcements about local events were made, including a flu vaccine clinic at the Lunenburg Library and an Agricultural Fair hosted by the Lunenburg Agricultural Commission. The board also approved a request from “Bicycles Battling Cancer” to pass through Lunenburg, an event supported by the town’s police and fire chiefs.

The interim Town Manager’s report touched on multiple administrative updates, including the need for volunteers for various committees, the ratification of a land use director, and ongoing recruitment for several town positions. He also discussed the roof replacement project at the Adult Activity Center, a historic property survey, and the town manager recruitment process. The report underscored an urgency to address these issues to maintain community engagement and transparency.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the transportation program, set to expire at the end of September. The program’s continuation relied on a private donor, whose identity was not disclosed. Concerns were raised about potential service interruptions until the fall town meeting, prompting discussions with the finance committee to ensure continuity.

The board also reviewed a collective bargaining agreement with the paraprofessional union, resulting in a one-year agreement with a 4% salary increase. This discussion highlighted broader recruitment challenges faced by the school committee and the town. Operational concerns about the TC Py House building, including heating plant issues and a $90,000 financial deficit, were also addressed. This deficit affected the town’s balance sheet and the calculation of free cash, critical for future projects.

Capital project discussions included the need for window replacements at the Ritter building and the urgency to bundle and bid out projects while aligning with long-term plans. The review of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding requests revealed concerns about library fund allocations, particularly for the teen center project, which faced delays due to HVAC planning and cost estimation.

A draft financial policy manual was introduced, with board members expected to review and provide feedback within three weeks. This effort aimed to enhance financial management practices, setting comprehensive goals for fiscal year 2025. Action items included establishing an annual goal-setting process, creating an employee recognition policy, and launching a public information dashboard.

Concerns about the Munis municipal software were raised, given the impending cessation of support for the 2021 update next spring. The finance director had consulted with users and stakeholders, emphasizing the need for a sustainable, cloud-based solution. The board discussed alternate vendors and the potential use of ARPA funds to offset initial costs.

Committee reports included updates on school capital projects, with the primary school’s air conditioning project completed and future projects prioritized. The Municipal Building Design Committee reviewed a Request for Proposals (RFP) for municipal building design, and updates from the Economic Development Committee and the Master Plan Steering Committee were provided.

Public comments included progress on the Green Communities Committee’s funding for school mini-splits and concerns about the fiscal policy manual’s changes. Community engagement was highlighted by the successful installation of a bocce court at the Adult Activity Center.

The board also discussed the accounts payable warrant amounting to $33,860, with concerns raised about the current practice of distributing warrants via DocuSign. The need for transparency and proper oversight led to a call for accessible documents during meetings.