The meeting began with an announcement regarding troubling incidents at Kennedy Middle School, where swastikas were found in a bathroom. A board member expressed dismay, emphasizing that the presence of such symbols reflects poorly on the town and underscores the need for better engagement with the youth to prevent such behavior. The board member stressed the importance of addressing these incidents seriously, noting the necessity for a strong message that such actions are unacceptable. The board member mentioned that the school would be investigating and taking remedial actions with the involved students.

The discussion of the swastikas moved into a broader conversation about the need for improved communication between the Natick Public Schools and the Select Board. The board member reiterated that the incidents were a “poor reflection” on the town.

Following this topic, the board recognized Paul Caru’s retirement, celebrating his extensive contributions to the community as a veteran and service officer. A resolution was read, detailing Mr. Caru’s background and his dedication to various veteran organizations. The board expressed their appreciation for Mr. Caru’s service, congratulating him on his retirement scheduled for March 28, 2026.

The board also celebrated Charlotte Schwartz’s 100th birthday, proclaiming May 5th as Charlotte Schwartz Day in Natick. Acknowledgments were made regarding her long-standing impact on the community, with board members sharing anecdotes about her active involvement over the years.

The agenda then turned to fiscal matters, where a portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing a merit increase for the town administrator, Mr. Erickson. Several proposals were debated, focusing on whether to award a retroactive raise or a current year increase.

After deliberation, the board reached a consensus to approve a total merit increase of $5,475 for Mr. Erickson, effective January 1. The adjustment aimed to account for both the previous and current year, aligning with the compensation adjustments provided to other department heads such as the fire chief and police chief. The board unanimously approved the motion, reflecting support for the merit increase approach.

The meeting also addressed budget-related issues, including a bylaw amendment concerning revolving funds. The amendment underwent revisions to align with Department of Local Services standards. The board members agreed to focus on the bylaw itself, rather than the revolving fund amounts, and the motion for favorable action on the amendment passed unanimously.

Further discussions included the composition of a working group comprising representatives from the school committee, the Select Board, and the Board of Health. This group aims to address community concerns about a moratorium, providing balanced perspectives and information for town meeting attendees. The clarification was made that the group’s work did not pertain to decisions regarding the junior varsity or practice fields, which remain under the school committee’s purview.

Another fiscal topic involved the inclusion of various articles in a letter to the Finance Committee. The board members debated which articles were appropriate for inclusion, ultimately deciding to review each article sequentially to determine their relevance.

As the meeting drew to a close, attention turned to future events, including a scheduled April meeting with the state delegation. Topics such as water and sewer rates and further recognition of Mr. Caru were slated for discussion. Additionally, the board prepared to bid farewell to a departing member, acknowledging their contributions to the town and planning a formal recognition at a later date.