The Youth Advisory Board initiative, designed to engage local youth in governmental affairs, garnered particular attention. The council lowered the minimum GPA requirement for board members to 2.5, with the intent to encourage wider participation among the town’s youth. The board will consist of seven members, with appointments lasting for one year and the possibility of reappointment until the age of 18. The board’s responsibilities include advising the Town Council on youth-related matters and providing opportunities to shadow council members. Meetings are scheduled for the first Tuesday of every month, with continuous absences potentially leading to removal from the board.

Another point of discussion was the town’s ongoing struggle with blasting operations affecting residential properties. The Blasting Advisory Board emphasized the necessity of recruiting qualified members to further address the issue. Although a recent bill aimed at mitigating the impact of mining activities failed to progress, the board noted that the mining industry acknowledged causing superficial damage to properties. The council recognized the urgency of this matter, stressing the importance of bolstering the board’s membership to pursue effective action.

Infrastructure was also a predominant theme, with the council reviewing incidents related to utility work and the impact of communication companies on the community’s infrastructure. The council motioned to work with Comcast to ensure future projects avoid similar issues and to emphasize not only main roads but also residential areas. Concerns about the increasing presence of 5G cell towers were raised, with the council directing staff to investigate ways to require new towers to be camouflaged and to consider retrofitting existing towers.

Additionally, the council discussed a proposed statue, focusing on its design and location, with the intention to align it with the town’s aesthetic standards. The potential ban on vaping in town-owned facilities, including both indoor and outdoor locations, was also considered, with varying opinions on enforcement and differentiation from other forms of smoking.

The Education Advisory Board reported on its support for local schools, highlighting initiatives like vocabulary and STEM education supplementation, funding for the Imagination Library and Friends of the Library, and collaboration for digital flyers. The board also discussed the EAB Student Member position and the upcoming Education Advisory Awards of Excellence, with the council suggesting a more active role in the Little Free Library program.

The council addressed various other items, including the renewal of a special event permit for the farmers market, the disposal of town-owned buses, and the establishment of authority for the collection of rents and maintenance of town-owned properties. Additionally, the council approved a resolution appointing a County judge to the canvassing board for the upcoming special election in 2024.

The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude toward community volunteers and members who have contributed to the town’s well-being, such as Monica Viamontes, the Spanish Honor Society president at Barbara Goleman Senior High, who was awarded a scholarship for her dedication to the community.