At the forefront of the meeting was the approval of a new engagement letter with KP Law. Under the new agreement, the retainer fee increased to $99,000 from a previous $75,000, with the hourly billing rate rising to $265 from $220. This new contract also includes six office hours per month as part of the retainer, addressing the town’s needs more comprehensively. Lauren Goldberg of KP Law confirmed that routine matters would fall under the retainer, while more intensive work would incur additional costs. The board agreed on the necessity of revisiting the retainer amount should it prove excessive or insufficient after a few months.

In tandem with legal matters, the board delved into the issue of bias and civil discourse training for elected officials. A resident, Brian Furs, raised concerns about the state of public discourse in Milton, citing instances of discriminatory language during meetings. Furs advocated for implementing baseline bias and civil discourse training, proposing a policy requiring current officials to complete training within 90 days and new appointees within 60 days. He suggested forming a working group to recommend training options and develop guidelines for addressing biased remarks during meetings. The board members showed interest in these proposals, reflecting on the importance of training to foster a respectful and productive environment.

Mr. Milano provided an update on potential training opportunities, acknowledging ongoing discussions but noting the absence of a concrete training proposal at that time. The board expressed agreement on the need for such training and considered forming a working group to explore implementation further. Suggestions included collaborating with other elected boards and ensuring diverse representation in the planning process. While some members expressed concern about the workload, the board recognized the importance of setting a higher standard for discourse and decision-making.

Another topic was the town’s participation in opioid settlements with manufacturers like Purdue Pharma. The settlements promise funds to address addiction-related issues, with expenditures overseen by the Board of Health. The board emphasized the need to spend allocated funds each year to qualify for future grants.

The meeting also touched on several local projects and events. Notably, the Route 28 Randolph Road Diet Pilot was discussed, with preparations underway for the pilot program aimed at improving safety. The board acknowledged potential short-term disruptions but emphasized the long-term benefits. Additionally, the East Milton Fire Station RFP and visioning session were updated, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled soon. The board also reviewed liquor licenses, approved for Historic New England events, and discussed the Ice House project, where a lottery for affordable housing units was announced.

Towards the end of the meeting, the board addressed future agenda items, including a presentation from an equity justice group and ongoing discussions regarding a land swap. The proposal for entering an executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategies was approved.