00:55The most notable topic of discussion was raised during the public comment period when Jake Teimbo, a resident of 216 Cross Anderson Road, brought forward alarming incidents related to a group home located on Claus Anderson Road. Teimbo reported that an individual from the group home had attempted to enter his home on three occasions over the past ten months, once while a babysitter was present with his three-year-old child. Describing the individual as violent and unpredictable, Teimbo expressed grave concerns for his family’s safety and criticized the group home for failing to control the individual’s behavior. Despite police notification, Teimbo stated that no substantial action had been taken to address the ongoing threat. He requested the board to investigate the group home, enforce local zoning regulations, and verify the facility’s licensing and operational capacity.

08:11Supporting Teimbo’s account, Darcy Rock, another resident of Claus Anderson Road, shared her own experiences with the individual, describing confrontations on her property. Rock emphasized the urgency of the situation, expressing frustration with the staff’s inability to manage the individual and highlighting another resident with Down syndrome who had also escaped the facility. Both residents called for immediate action, with Rock stating, “The town needs to take action; he needs to be removed.” Board members acknowledged the gravity of the situation and pledged to act swiftly, although they recognized limitations due to state law, which allows group homes to operate in residential areas without local zoning approval.

13:33Following this issue, the board discussed the upcoming South Rec Center opening season parade, set for April 19, 2025. The parade, intended to run from Powder Mill School to the South Rec Center baseball fields, raised concerns about road safety due to significant potholes, particularly regarding the participation of young children. Dave Wallally, a member of the rec center and baseball committee, confirmed the ownership of the roads and joined the discussion via Zoom. While the board could not directly address road repairs, they agreed to notify the appropriate parties to ensure the roads were safe for the event. The board unanimously approved the parade request, reflecting community support for its return.

16:35The board also addressed the appointment of deputies from the Hampton County Sheriff’s Department for the summer season, approving the deputization of 17 officers and five substitutes.

18:09Additionally, the board discussed a late application submission to Westfield Academy, emphasizing the importance of adhering to established deadlines. The application, submitted after the April 1 deadline, was unanimously denied by the board.

20:41In terms of administrative matters, the board signed the town election warrant, confirming the election date for May 13, 2025, and reviewed options for voting by mail and in-person absentee voting.

22:46The board also deliberated on closing the annual town meeting warrant, ultimately setting a deadline of noon on May 2 for submissions, acknowledging the pressure this timing might place on town officials to manage the articles effectively.

30:27A notable point of contention arose during the discussion of a proposed bylaw, which sparked a philosophical debate among board members. Members debated the necessity of certain regulations, advocating for clearer language to prevent confusion and potential legal challenges. The board agreed that any changes to the bylaw would require a town vote and should be presented as a separate article at town meeting.