The board’s decision to approve Article 14, establishing an uncompensated absences fund, was a focal point of the meeting. This fund aims to address potential financial burdens by preparing for future payments of accrued liabilities when town employees retire. The decision followed a recommendation from town auditors who had highlighted previous practices where unused appropriated funds for retirements led to financial inefficiencies. This fund, distinct from the existing Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) fund which covers health insurance, is crucial as it deals with approximately $24 million in potential liabilities if all personnel retired simultaneously.

In conjunction with the establishment of the new fund, the board also decided to take no action on Article 22, which would have been redundant had Article 14 been approved. This decision streamlined the town’s approach to managing its financial obligations regarding employee retirements.

Another topic was the awarding of contracts for trash pickup and recycling services. The board reviewed bids and opted to award the school contract to Republic Services, despite their bid not being the lowest due to incomplete bid information from other contenders. For the town’s contract, All State was chosen as the provider.

The board also discussed contracts for the Department of Public Works (DPW) concerning line painting services. Although there was a noticeable increase in some costs compared to previous years, paving costs had unexpectedly decreased. The board authorized contracts with Southeast Regional Services Group, continuing its partnership for these municipal services.

Health insurance costs were another key issue raised during the meeting. The town manager reported a modest 2% increase in health insurance rates, attributed primarily to pharmaceutical claims. The manager noted that excluding certain costly drugs could have resulted in an even lower rate increase of around 4%. This report highlighted ongoing financial pressures faced by municipalities in the region, with neighboring communities experiencing even larger rate hikes.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the prolonged issue of selling a property on East Main Street. The town manager provided updates on legislative efforts spearheaded by Representative Howard and Representative Barros. This property had been deemed unsellable during previous economic conditions, leading to questions about when the economic climate might be favorable for such a sale. The board expressed appreciation for the representatives’ involvement and anticipated further updates as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Lastly, discussions regarding real estate exemptions for veterans under the Heroes Act and a memorandum of understanding between town departments were deferred due to the absence of a full board.

The meeting concluded with the board entering an executive session to discuss litigation strategy, following a roll call vote.