One notable issues discussed was the recent resignations within the committee, resulting in three vacancies. Efforts are underway to recruit new members, with a particular focus on young people, to ensure a diverse and representative committee capable of making decisions. The lack of quorum prevented any official voting or decisions during this meeting.

A notable discussion centered on the oversight of the Youth Empowerment Center. Initially expected to be managed by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Department, the center has now been placed under the Recreation Department due to decisions by the town manager and the Finance Department. A task force has been formed to focus on youth empowerment, separate from the DEI’s oversight, which has raised concerns about equitable program establishment. The task force, including town and school educators, recently held its first meeting.

The meeting also highlighted frustrations regarding the slow progress on social justice and equity issues, particularly within the BIPOC community. There were strong calls for regular DEI representation at committee meetings to facilitate consistent communication and collaboration.

During the public comment period, a returning committee member, Philip, was welcomed and urged to focus on equitable allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds. Concerns were raised about the accessibility of funds set aside for housing, with specific mention of restrictions that hindered community members from accessing these resources. The speaker highlighted ongoing issues like high inflation and medical bills affecting residents’ ability to meet their basic needs, stressing the importance of addressing these barriers.

In addition to the discussions on the Youth Empowerment Center and DEI collaboration, the meeting reviewed performance metrics from the Community Response Engagement and Support Team (Crest). Crest reported handling 76 calls in June and 94 in July, with an increase in interactions from 160 to 226, including 6% related to mental health. Despite a reduction in staff from eight to four responders, the team remains active in the community. Concerns were raised about how the staffing changes might impact Crest’s ability to manage call volumes and provide adequate support.

Training for Crest responders, new dispatchers, and supervisors was also discussed, with an emphasis on ensuring calls directed to Crest are appropriate and focused on safety alternatives to policing. The importance of having candidates who are active in the community and aligned with an anti-racist social justice perspective was highlighted. Operational hours for Crest currently remain Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM, with a temporary extension to Saturdays.

Public comments emphasized the need for improved communication, transparency, and organization in conveying information about ongoing projects like the Youth Empowerment Center. There was a call for summaries to be included in meeting packets to enhance public access to information regarding Crest and related initiatives. Frustrations were voiced about the perceived friction between Town staff and committee members, with some participants criticizing the town government for a lack of respect for the work of Black women and other marginalized groups.

Concerns about high turnover rates in Crest were articulated. The discourse highlighted the need for unity and transparency within the committee, along with the promotion of youth culture within the Youth Center initiative.