The meeting opened with a report on a cyber attack that targeted the county offices on High Street. Director Cronin informed the commissioners that the attack occurred early Sunday morning, prompting an immediate response from the county’s Information Technology team. For three days, the IT department, alongside external experts and state and federal law enforcement agencies, worked to manage the situation. The efforts involved cataloging potential damage and spearheading recovery initiatives. Commissioners publicly commended the IT team for their dedication and extended work hours. Acknowledgment was given to the department’s leadership, with one commissioner stating, “we want to commend our director, our assistant director, and the IT members who put in some extra overtime.”

As the meeting progressed, discussions turned to the financial implications of potential changes to the Norfolk County Retirement Board’s funding policies. The board circulated emails among various communities concerning adjustments to retirement contribution costs. These proposed changes could lead to substantial financial burdens for the upcoming fiscal year, a point of significant concern for the commissioners. The board’s actuary presented three options, each forecasting different levels of cost increases, some described as “alarming.” The commissioners underscored the need for the Retirement Board to consider the feedback from affected communities, which voiced apprehensions over the financial impact. The timeline to reach full funding viability might extend from 2030 to 2035, depending on which proposal is adopted. Calls for transparency and better communication were made, urging the Retirement Board to keep commissioners informed about the status of these changes.

In a related conversation, the commissioners discussed an opioid grant opportunity. The county received approval for a cover letter from the District Attorney’s office, enabling the distribution of funds from the previous year’s opioid balance. Last year, 15 grants of $1,000 were awarded to various organizations. This year, the proposal is to increase the grant amount to $1,500, with plans to notify Coalition members swiftly to facilitate applications. The discussion also explored extending grant opportunities beyond the Coalition to community partners and initiatives like Gilly’s House, a sobriety program encountering scheduling challenges with stakeholders.

The meeting also touched on personnel changes within the county. Carol Graham was appointed as a senior clerk at the Registry of Deeds, effective January 14, 2024, succeeding Jordan Freeman. Mein McKinnon was named the chief procurement officer, with the role commencing on November 18, 2024, replacing Nancy Rockwell. Additionally, Rachel Wing was appointed as a student worker at the North County Agricultural High School, effective October 31, 2024. As the procurement department experienced turnover, the hiring of Morin, a Massachusetts Chief Procurement Officer certified and state-trained professional, was expected to stabilize the department. An email will be sent to department heads with Jennifer’s contact information as she succeeds Amy Sunset.

Furthermore, the commissioners approved several financial matters, including the county’s payroll totaling $148,478.92 and the school’s payroll set at $380,500. The county’s expense warrant amounted to $569,893. These approvals proceeded without opposition, reflecting consensus on the financial management front.

The meeting also addressed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Although no new awards were presented that week, updates from a recent Quad County meeting were shared. Other counties, like Barnstable, Bristol, and Plymouth, had extended their grant deadlines to the end of October, triggering a surge of applications. In contrast, Norfolk County implemented individualized plans for each community to manage the grant funds. Director Cronin noted that six communities still had remaining funds expected to be utilized by the end of December 2024. He emphasized Norfolk County’s strategy to prevent any clawbacks of unspent funds by allocating all resources to community projects as originally planned.

Finally, in a lighter moment, the maintenance supervisor reported on improvements in district courts, where signs had been repainted and new signs installed. This update was met with positive acknowledgment from the commissioners, who appreciated the improved presentation.