The aging boiler system at the center of the board’s infrastructure concerns was reported to cost $144,000 per month in fuel, emphasizing the need for a timely replacement due to its inefficiencies and high operating costs. The board also considered a 5-year contract to secure the supply cost of electricity, potentially reducing the budget by an estimated $118,000 annually. Additionally, the necessary annual inspection of fire extinguishers and the associated costs for fuel and contractual maintenance services were discussed to ensure safety compliance.

Financial discussions extended into various educational budgets, with the Southampton Select Board scrutinizing allocations across the board—from local school transportation to the Hampshire Regional budget. The board noted an increase in the Hampshire Regional budget, which had been adjusted down from an initial 17.4% to 2.77%. Deliberations included the impact of budget increases on Southampton and neighboring towns, with Southampton bearing 56 cents on the dollar for Hampshire Regional expenses. The allocation of funds based on the number of students sent to the regional school and the weighted vote system were topics of discussion.

The board dissected the Norris School budget, which totaled $6,665,375 for fiscal year 2025, including a $4,000 increase from the previous year. Funding sources such as the State cherry sheet, school choice revolving fund, and grants like the circuit breaker and Title One were highlighted. Members debated the reserves amount and called for policies to regulate fund usage. A lower school choice fund compared to previous years sparked a discussion on the potential service impact for students.

Concerns also centered on the certification of free cash, a financial step for the town, with the board emphasizing the need to close the books and get certified before the town meeting. A dedicated session with the finance committee was planned to focus on revenue and expenses.

The budget for the town clerk’s office was addressed, particularly in relation to the upcoming presidential election. An apparent reduction in election wages and expenses was questioned, considering the anticipated increase in costs associated with a presidential election year. The board agreed to seek further clarification on this matter.

In addition to the infrastructure and financial topics, the board engaged in a review of the town’s transportation program funding, which operates on multiple grants. The need for a more cohesive budgeting approach was debated.

The Edwards Public Library’s budget proposal, mainly driven by staff salaries, was outlined by Johanna Douglas, the library director. The board inquired about specific line items, including the Municipal Appropriations requirement and the allocation for library materials. Questions arose about fundraising efforts by the Friends of the Library to bridge budget gaps and the necessity of substitutes and custodial services. The library’s need to spend 19% on books and materials to receive state aid was another critical point, with the board exploring the implications of not meeting this threshold and the confusion over its calculation.

The Board of Health presented its budget, highlighting the challenges of recruiting a part-time health agent amid a regional shortage and the higher costs associated with using a contracted agent. The shared Public Health Excellence program was discussed, providing auxiliary health services like vaccine clinics and educational programming. The board hoped the program could supplement inspection services, particularly for food establishments, but acknowledged limitations in replacing the town’s inspection volume.