In a recent session, Select Board read aloud a deed restriction for an 18-acre parcel of land off Plump Road. This action affirms the July 25, 2024, vote by the Conservation Commission and aligns with the Commonwealth’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program requirements. Discussion around vegetation management for the newly protected area was brief, with no immediate concerns raised by the Conservation Commission.

Following the open space protection discussion, the Board approved bids for diesel and gasoline supplies. The Highway Superintendent recommended accepting a fixed rate of $3.25 per gallon for gasoline from Dennis K. Burke and $3.15 per gallon for diesel from Kos Oil. The Board moved to approve these bids without further debate.

The recruitment of a new Town Administrator was another key topic. Deborah Radway has been contracted to assist with the recruitment process, working at an hourly rate of $43.50. The job listing has already been posted, with an expected hiring timeline of up to three months. Radway may also attend preliminary screening interviews, if necessary.

Additionally, the Board accepted an annual contract for sludge services, managed by the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District. There were no notable changes from the previous year’s contract.

In other business, the Board needed to appoint a delegate to negotiate the town’s cable contract with Comcast. The Board designated a primary and an alternate member to handle the negotiations.

Updates were provided on several ongoing matters. The Cannabis Control Commission flagged a non-compliant sentence in the town’s Host Community Agreement with a cannabis applicant, which is under review by Town Council. There were also updates on conservation issues, including oversight of land clearing violations on Falls Road and concerns about erosion on Mount Toby roads.