The board, aware of the importance of maintaining a balance in the local economy, confirmed that they were not at their quota for liquor licenses, owing to some licenses not being renewed in previous years. This strategic move aims to fill the gap left by unrenewed licenses, thereby supporting local businesses without oversaturating the market. The board’s decision aligns with their ongoing responsibility to foster a supportive environment for local enterprises.

The board’s agenda was extensive, moving seamlessly from the liquor license proposal to preparations for the January 13, 2026, special town meeting. Key topics for this meeting include employee health insurance splits, essential repairs to the dispatch communication tower, and bylaw modifications for stormwater management that will allow for outside consultant reviews. Additionally, the planning board’s proposals regarding large-scale photovoltaic structures were discussed.

Further discussions during the meeting focused on the renewal of 2026 licenses. The board reviewed lists of on-premise and off-premise licenses, which covered a range of establishments from local restaurants and the American Legion to stores like Millie’s Country Store and Lucky Stop. While the renewals generally proceeded smoothly, some establishments had not completed required safety inspections, prompting the board to reschedule these inspections for December 22. The board also faced challenges with businesses that had not submitted necessary documentation for renewal, notably Lake View. The board exercised diligence by granting conditional approvals for businesses pending receipt of the required documents.

In a related matter, the board addressed a potential conflict of interest involving an applicant connected to an officer of the board. After careful consideration, it was determined that the individual could still participate in the vote, maintaining transparency and integrity in the board’s decision-making process. The board’s methodical approach continued with the approval of auto dealer licenses, where compliance issues with Allen’s Affordable were noted, and the board decided to await required documents before granting a license.

The conversation shifted to paving project funding, where leftover funds from previous projects were reallocated to cover needs on Hillside Road and South Lumis.

Another topic was the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance’s one-year renewal for the boat launch parking area license. The board agreed to send a letter to local legislators, Representative Buligga and Senator Mark, advocating for a long-term renewal.

Contributions to community welfare were acknowledged, particularly a $150 donation to the library’s gift account in memory of Alberta Hayden. This donation supports the books on the go delivery program and the book box program, and the board expressed gratitude for this act of generosity, which they approved with a roll call vote.

In new business, concerns about outdated inspections by the Board of Health were noted. Discussions also touched on personnel changes within the Department of Public Works, with a member being promoted to supervisor. Additionally, the board deliberated on transitioning from traditional contracts to at-will agreements for new directors, considering the implications for employee benefits.

Insurance proposals rounded out the meeting, with the board discussing the conclusion of a two-year rate guarantee and potential impacts of loss ratios on future rates. Despite these challenges, the board expressed confidence in the insurance’s ability to cover significant losses, reflecting careful risk management.