The meeting commenced with the approval of a substantial municipal bond sale amounting to $18,555,000. John Townsend, Deputy Town Administrator and Director of Finance, outlined the details of the sale, indicating that the bonds, when including interest, totaled $19,878,593. The approved bonds would allocate $12,452,058 for new projects, while $7,288,265 would be used to pay off previously refunded notes. Townsend clarified that issuance costs and underwriter discounts were accounted for. Members of the board raised questions about marketing costs and the strict governmental use of the funds, with the board ultimately voting unanimously to approve the bond sale.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to addressing water bill disputes, notably for residents Helena Fonseca and a representative of the Thaler estate. Fonseca appealed against a $4,000 water bill for her property on Speed Street, which had been vacant for several months. Despite investigation efforts, including consultations with plumbers, no cause for the spike in water usage was found.

Similarly, a representative of the Thaler estate recounted an unusually high water bill totaling approximately $4,400, which followed the owner’s passing. Despite efforts to identify and fix potential leaks, the issue persisted, leading to another bill for $9,000. The board approved an abatement of $2,730.61 for the estate and agreed to apply the same methodology for future bills, streamlining the process to avoid additional interest accruals.

In broader discussions, the board explored the use of opioid abatement funds, derived from legal settlements with pharmaceutical companies. Catherine Sugarman presented an overview of Natick 180, a community coalition focusing on substance use prevention and recovery initiatives. The coalition emphasized the importance of prevention education and harm reduction strategies, supported by the funding. Noteworthy achievements included a decline in total overdoses and successful community engagement efforts.

The board also considered potential changes to the tax classification policy, debating the implications of a split tax rate versus a single tax rate. Concerns were raised about the rapid increase in residential property valuations compared to commercial properties and the potential impact of a split rate on local businesses. Members emphasized the need for thorough research and community input before making any decisions, recognizing the long-term fiscal implications.

In discussions about public safety, the board addressed the need for enhanced crosswalk safety measures. A policy draft for the installation of Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFB) was proposed, with the aim of streamlining the request and approval process. The board acknowledged the need for clear communication with residents and the importance of establishing consistent criteria for beacon placement.