Holly Hebda, a candidate for the town clerk position, was interviewed during the meeting. Hebda detailed her experience with technology implementation, process improvements, and her involvement in municipal projects. She discussed her approach to recording and maintaining a large amount of data, her sense of ethics and integrity, and her comfort with the responsibilities of the job. Hebda also expressed her intention to enhance the clerk’s office’s online presence and her commitment to ongoing learning and development. The board had an ongoing discussion about the candidates for the town clerk position but did not reach a decision by the time of this portion of the transcript.

The board contemplated the continuation of early voting for local elections, considering the costs involved and the turnout. It was noted that 26% of the votes in the last election were cast early, with the cost for the extra time for poll workers estimated at around $700. The board discussed the need for historical data to make an informed decision and recognized the convenience of early voting for residents. They debated the financial implications and the yearly decision-making process regarding opting in or out of early voting.

In addition to the clerk position, the board considered three candidates for firefighter roles. The discussion on these positions was ongoing at the time of the transcript.

The board also discussed departmental changes, including a proposal to merge the Park and Recreation and Buildings and Grounds departments under the Public Works Department. They debated the potential benefits and logistics of this move, the structure and organization of the merged departments, and the need for input from stakeholders. The possibility of relocating the clerk’s office to a different department was also debated.

Regarding the upcoming town meeting on May 21st, 2024, there was a discussion about the order of articles and a motion to remove a proposed hunting bylaw from the agenda, which was voted unanimously. The board also reviewed articles related to establishing or amending revolving accounts, the Community Preservation Committee budget, and zoning bylaw amendments.

The Department of Public Works requested to relocate all staff to 661 College Highway for efficiency and better customer service. The logistics and potential disruptions to other departments were discussed, with the board agreeing the move makes sense, though details like funding for office space setup still required attention.

Moreover, the board approved various donations, including $650 for the K9 gift account and $7,500 for the library summer reading program. They also acknowledged community events and approved hiring summer help for the library.

A permit for the Iron Man race scheduled for June 9th was discussed, with adjustments to the route map from the previous year to address bottlenecks and trouble spots. Additionally, the board supported a bike route event and reviewed a Community Preservation Commission application for Town Hall exterior masonry rehabilitation.