Among one notable issues was the discussion surrounding the departure of the current Town Manager and the subsequent search for a new Town Manager. It was proposed that the town engage a recruitment firm for the search, with projected costs ranging from $12,000 to $14,000. The board also considered an offer to Carter Terenzini for the interim Town Manager position, pending legal review. Further, the board debated the Town Manager’s salary range, noting the need for more data to determine an appropriate figure.

The meeting also focused on the Marshal Park project, with the Chair of the Parks Commission presenting an update. Phase One of the renovation could proceed using the existing funds amounting to $1.63 million, which included ARPA funds, a state Park grant, and remaining design funds from a previous town meeting vote. The planned improvements for Phase One include constructing a pavilion, new basketball courts, pickleball courts, a playground, and a restroom facility. The Parks Commission has hired an owner’s project manager to oversee the process and is expecting additional grants to support the project.

Public comments brought to light several community issues, including concerns about large, unsupervised events leading to chaos and property damage, and a perceived lack of support from the police in dealing with such incidents. Additionally, residents expressed frustration with the handling of issues related to the chief of police and cited an incident involving a biracial family from 2014, accusing the town of allowing residents to lie to the police.

Another subject of community interest was the unkempt state of the former Miller Funeral Home. A resident urged the board to take immediate action to clean up the property.

A proposal to increase the Recreation Director’s hours from 19 to 28 per week was also on the agenda. The additional hours, funded by the parks revolving account, led to discussions on staff retention and the financial implications of the increase. The board unanimously approved the additional hours, with the possibility of revisiting the decision during the next budget cycle.

The board addressed requests for proposals and invitations for bids on several town projects, including trash and recycling services, a library solar shade project, Marshall Park designer services, and the senior center roof project. Updates on staffing changes and recruitment efforts for various positions were also provided. Additionally, the board discussed the logistics of events to show appreciation for town staff and the importance of maintaining a professional boundary.

The meeting also entailed a review of the fiscal year 2024 third quarter financial report, which was summarized by the town manager as positive with no anomalies. No questions were raised by the board on the financial report.

A debate emerged over the Public Communication policy passed during a previous meeting. Concerns were raised that the policy was not properly passed, potentially violating the board’s own procedures. The board agreed to revisit the discussion when all members were present.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the approval of the intermunicipal agreement between Lunenburg and the Leominster Sewer Commission. The Sewer Commission had endorsed the agreement with minor revisions, and the board approved it unanimously. Feedback on the accuracy of meeting minutes was provided, with a suggestion to review AI-generated minutes before presentation to the board.

In closing statements, the Town Manager reflected on the challenges and achievements throughout their tenure, citing the loss of trust as a reason for their resignation. Board members and community members shared their appreciation for the Town Manager’s service, while also acknowledging the difficulties faced. Public comments included criticism of the board’s policies and actions, with concerns about free speech and ethics violations.