The board’s discussion on the home rule petition was extensive. The goal was to create a bylaw that would enable the town to prohibit the use of these rodenticides on private property, a move that town meeting members had already voted in favor of. This decision comes at a time when there is acknowledgment of possible statewide legislation addressing the issue. The board voted to adopt the home rule petition and send it to the General Court.

In tandem with environmental concerns, the board tackled the issue of the town’s ambulance service. The service has faced equipment challenges, specifically the need to replace one of the ambulances due to major operational problems. Discussions also centered on the longevity of the ambulance fleet, with the aim of each vehicle serving the community for 10 to 15 years. To address immediate concerns, the board considered budget transfers within the ambulance enterprise fund to cover salaries and wages affected by the unexpected issues with the ambulances. The chief of the ambulance service addressed the board.

Amendments to the town’s act to correct the capital planning committee bylaw sparked debate among the board members. The focus was on resolving conflicts between the existing bylaws and state-approved restrictions, particularly concerning the eligibility of finance committee members to serve on the capital planning committee. This led to a recommendation to recruit additional citizens for the committee and to seek clarity in the language to avoid future conflicts. The amendment was voted on and is now set to move to the General Court for consideration.

Another hot-button issue was a request from the Rowley Police Department for Newbury to assume the administrative lead of a regional jail diversion program. The program, backed by a grant valued between $150,000 and $160,000, is aimed at providing mental health support to divert individuals from arrest to care. The grant would cover the salary of a mental health clinician and related police work. There were inquiries about the duration of Newbury’s leadership role and the town administration’s capacity to manage such responsibility. It was clarified that the grant would not impose a financial burden on the taxpayers.

The board also deliberated over changes to the composition of the capital planning committee, with a debate about increasing the number of members appointed by the Selectmen. The meeting moved forward to approve a one-day liquor license for an upcoming reunion event at Governor’s Academy and special permits for various public events, including road races and cycling events.

The retirement of Martha Taylor, the town’s planning director, was acknowledged with gratitude for her contributions. The board discussed new hires at the library, ongoing collective bargaining, and a federal grant related to a planning study for the Newburyport Turnpike. Right to Farm disclosures for two properties and a letter from Triton regarding the Massachusetts School Building Authority statement of interest were also topics of discussion. The letter highlighted additional documentation needed to meet statutory priorities.

Furthermore, the board addressed the alternative assessment plan, which proposes a 5-year rolling strategy with 3%, 5%, and 7% potential increases to aid in budget predictability. Concerns about the fairness and impact of the plan were raised, and there was a mention of the need for state funding for municipal building projects.