The acquisition of the Garfinkel property emerged as a focal point of the meeting. The board reviewed the purchase and sale agreement for the land, which involved the town acquiring the fee interest outright from the seller and conveying a conservation restriction to a third party. Questions were raised by the board regarding specifics of the property, including acreage and address details. Despite initial questions, a motion was made and approved to authorize the select board to sign the deed, signaling progress in the acquisition process. However, due to a time discrepancy, the board decided to ratify the vote at a later time to ensure procedural correctness.

The discussion then shifted to the challenges facing the town’s transfer station. The Highway superintendent reported a budget deficit resulting from decreased usage and increased disposal costs. To address this, the board considered the implications of offering discounted fees to seniors, weighing the potential impact on the already strained budget. After a thorough discussion, the board moved to ratify a new fee structure.

Additionally, the board tackled administrative scheduling matters. Recognizing a conflict with the upcoming special town vote scheduled for June 25th, the board corrected the earlier mistake of a July 25th date. The vote, important for the land acquisition, will have polls open from noon to 8 pm, with ballots mailed out to residents. The board also planned to disseminate FAQs throughout the community to inform and prepare voters. Furthermore, the board proposed adjustments to the schedule of their regular meetings.

Amidst these discussions, the board contemplated the format of their meetings. A debate arose over whether to continue inviting other departments and committees to present at board meetings or to instead request written reports in advance. This led to the suggestion of holding a standalone meeting dedicated to receiving these reports.

As the meeting progressed, there was acknowledgment of the yet unsigned purchase and sale agreement for the land acquisition, with lingering disagreements on terms between the lawyers.

The meeting concluded with an agreement on the necessity of a special town vote.