The management and maintenance of town ditches emerged as a concern, with residents raising issues that prompted the board to contemplate various strategies. Discussions centered on the budgetary implications of cleaning out the ditches and the necessity of conducting an updated survey to determine the boundaries and the properties affected by the ditches. The board deliberated on the feasibility of sending letters to property owners, inquiring about the donation of rights for ditch maintenance. The option to involve farmers in the process was considered. However, there was debate over whether to wait for a map of the ditches before initiating communication with property owners.

Shifting to fiscal matters, the board took on the task of reviewing and making adjustments to the annual operating budget. This process involved a detailed evaluation of articles to be presented at the upcoming town meeting. Among the articles discussed were the capital budget, prior year bills, and the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding for the Graves Memorial Library. Furthermore, the board contemplated the shared use path match for the MS Grant and various capital requests, such as the purchase of a police cruiser and HVAC maintenance for the library.

The operating budget review was especially thorough, with amendments to health insurance costs and the exclusion of longevity from the Personnel committee’s recommendations. It was acknowledged that ongoing negotiations with the police union could lead to minor budgetary changes. The total capital requests exceeded $400,000, pushing the board to weigh the available funds against the need for infrastructure improvements and essential public services.

Capital stabilization was another focal point, with the board evaluating the capital improvement subcommittee’s recommendations. The discussion included the highway department’s vehicle needs, revealing that payments for a truck lease and loader acquisition were still pending. The duration of the vehicle leases was debated, with lifespan estimates ranging between 36 to 45 years. The possibility of reallocating surplus funds into the capital stabilization fund was contemplated.

Updates from the selectboard encompassed a report on the Village Center visioning kickoff event and South County EMS. The board also acknowledged the library’s 20th birthday celebration and discussed the implementation of new phone devices. A public request to waive a building permit application fee, due to a change of contractor, led to a debate over the fee’s reduction and the method for calculating administrative costs.