During the public comments segment, a community member, Mr. Bowen, raised concerns about the Cemetery Commission, which has not convened since July 25. He attributed this inactivity to Chairperson Nancy Fasco’s personal matters and highlighted the critical shortage of cemetery plots, with only 70 remaining. Bowen pointed out the absence of necessary warrant articles for funding or actions to address these issues. He accused Chairperson Fasco of focusing on trivial matters instead of addressing concerns like the West Street Terrace Cemetery and eminent domain challenges. Bowen referenced an email from Heather Lemieux expressing dissatisfaction with Fasco’s lack of response to these issues and called for Fasco’s resignation due to a defamation lawsuit against her.

Additionally, Bowen criticized cemetery spending practices, such as $7,500 for grass cutting and $1,400 for engraving a bench, emphasizing the need for a structured business plan and suggesting the formation of a cemetery corporation to improve fiscal responsibility. These allegations prompted the board to consider taking action to alleviate the cemetery’s ongoing issues.

In another development, the board voted to extend the interim Town Manager’s contract by 90 days, with a narrow 3-2 vote. The decision followed a debate about the interim Town Manager’s dual commitments and communication lapses regarding a new role. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on the town’s interests, with board members divided on whether the interim Town Manager could effectively manage both roles. Despite this, some members expressed confidence in the interim Town Manager’s ability to fulfill obligations to the town.

Personnel policy changes also took center stage during the meeting, particularly regarding vacation and sick leave policies for employees. The board discussed granting new hires five days of leave upfront to accommodate personal obligations, with the leave accrued over time. The proposal included recognizing prior work experience, allowing new employees to carry experience from previous roles into their new positions, with a cap of three weeks’ vacation. Concerns about holiday pay for part-time employees were also addressed.

Further discussions involved the creation of a sick leave bank, allowing employees to donate sick time to colleagues, and the board’s authority in the absence of a functioning Personnel Committee. While some members emphasized the need for more public review before implementing these changes, others argued for immediate action to support employee morale and recruitment.

The meeting also covered the approval of various town meeting warrant articles. The board approved the transfer of an all-alcohol license to St. Mary and Christ Inc., contingent on obtaining necessary Board of Health certifications. This decision followed scrutiny of the applicants’ qualifications and application discrepancies.

Additionally, the board discussed several articles for the upcoming special town meeting. They approved Article 1, authorizing payment of late bills, and Article 2, amending the school budget. Articles related to employee benefits for part-time workers, including vacation and sick leave, were also approved, with a focus on attracting and retaining qualified staff.