Two residents, Robert Stevenson and Erica Emman, brought forth concerns about the behavior of an unnamed Select Board member, accusing the individual of using their position to further personal interests, particularly related to their spouse’s political campaign. Stevenson and Emman highlighted the divisive impact of the member’s actions on the town’s unity and trust in its elected officials. This included Stevenson referencing an email from the board member demanding a school committee member’s resignation and Emman calling the behavior “appalling” and a “clear violation of Ethics.”

The meeting also included a discussion on the allocation of $540,000 for road projects, with the board considering a recommendation to allocate $350,000 for the Feeding Hills Road drainage project. The road’s condition was a concern for the Police Department, which noted the hazard it posed and the potential for accidents due to people driving on the wrong side to avoid damaged areas.

Another infrastructure topic tackled was the approval of a pole hearing for Verizon New England and NSTAR Electric Company, which involved relocating poles and wires on South Lumis and Klein Road. A resident expressed concerns about the impact of the pole relocation on their property, but the board clarified and approved the installation of a new pole and the removal of an existing one, which addressed safety considerations and infrastructure development.

Additionally, the board approved a liquor license transfer for Ken’s Lakeside Plaza, now doing business as Fusion Bar and Grill. The Southwick Cultural Council supported the transfer, and the board voted in favor after the applicant’s presentation. The Cultural Council also secured a one-day liquor license for the upcoming 2024 art show, with police department review as a condition.

The board acknowledged the retirement of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Karl J. Stinehart, and entered discussions about potential future changes to the town’s organizational structure. This included the possibility of adding buildings and grounds as a department under the Department of Public Works and deliberations on the Treasurer collector clerk’s office and the zoning petition for the Sodom Mountain Campground.

In terms of financial and policy matters, the board voted to approve cost-of-living adjustments for nonunion staff for fiscal year 2024 and reviewed warrant articles related to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) budget and approved projects. The board also approved changes to the town’s social media and telecommunications policies for appointed and elected board committee members, widening the scope of who the policies affect.

A proposal to accept Mass General Law chapter 44 section 54b for trust funds to use the Prudent investment rule was discussed. The board motioned to approve this article for the town meeting.

Regarding town administration, the board discussed the upcoming Town Administrator recruitment process, with three finalists identified for the position. Plans were made to schedule a final interview in an open session in front of the full select board.

The meeting also addressed various other ongoing projects and processes, including the high-speed internet subcommittee, the marijuana dispensary webpage posting process, and the internal posting for the Council on Aging (COA) director position. Scheduling meetings for the review of Mass General Law chapters 61, 61a, and 61b and the Town Administrator recruitment panel preliminary interviews were also topics of discussion.

The board deliberated on the selection process for a position, considering reposting the role or moving forward with scheduled final interviews with two candidates. Additionally, the board discussed the T-Mobile Hometown grants application, the town clerk internal posting, the master plan implementation subcommittee, and updates on an Eagle Scout project. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss labor council litigation matters and strategy for collective bargaining with various unions.