A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the public hearing on the renewal of New England Rodeo LLC’s entertainment and common victualler licenses for 2025. The board, advised by the town’s attorney Greg Corbo, examined whether the licenses should be renewed, given previous issues related to health, safety, and traffic. Officials from health, building, police, and fire departments presented their experiences with the rodeo over the past year, highlighting numerous concerns. Overcrowding, improper parking, and inadequate safety measures were cited as recurring problems. Health officials emphasized the need for annual well-water testing and proper sanitation facilities. The police department pointed out issues such as public urination and the lack of an effective parking plan. Safety concerns were also raised regarding the rodeo’s infrastructure, particularly the bleachers and grandstands, which required proper certification and anchoring.

Representatives from the rodeo, including Ed Pina, addressed the board, expressing a commitment to work with the town to rectify these issues. They proposed hiring detail officers and installing temporary no-parking signs to manage parking problems. However, challenges remained, particularly in obtaining a valid occupancy permit due to the absence of a clear formula for open-air events in Massachusetts. Pina underscored the rodeo’s community engagement efforts, such as providing free tickets and fundraising opportunities, and expressed a desire to align more closely with public safety expectations.

Board members reiterated the need for compliance with public safety standards, with some expressing reluctance to support the license renewal without adherence to these requirements. They stressed the importance of legal representation for the rodeo organizers to navigate municipal regulations effectively. The discussion acknowledged the rodeo’s enjoyment by the community but underscored the necessity of meeting safety recommendations. The dialogue called for clearer communication and the formulation of a detailed safety plan to avoid past issues.

The board also discussed the rodeo’s future location, as the current site would only be available for one more year due to development plans. While another site in Norton had been identified, concerns about potential challenges similar to those at the current location were raised. The board emphasized the importance of ensuring any new site met safety standards and addressed previous problems related to overcrowding and insufficient facilities.

The hearing was continued to February 27, 2025, granting time for the necessary arrangements to be made. The board set a target deadline of April 1 for meeting the specified conditions, warning that if unmet, the license would not be approved for the season.

In other significant proceedings, the board recognized Representative Jay Barrows for his long-standing service and contributions to the Norton community. The chair and other members expressed their appreciation for Barrows’ responsiveness and involvement in local issues, such as the formation of a regional sewer district and the establishment of regional services. A certificate of appreciation and a key to the town, a first for Norton, were presented to Barrows, who expressed gratitude and pride in the community’s progress.

Additional agenda items included the appointment of Jill Mudley as a part-time accounting clerk in the town accountant’s office, a position that had been vacant for some time. The board approved various licenses, including Tasty N LLC, and discussed seasonal population increases for alcoholic beverage licensing, concluding that Norton does not experience a significant seasonal surge.

The meeting also touched on the Massachusetts Community Electric Aggregation renewal process, highlighting substantial savings for residents since 2016. Announcements included National Wreaths Across America Day and a local coat drive.