A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Human Resources (HR) department’s role and its potential impact if budget cuts were implemented. Concerns were raised about the feasibility of transferring HR responsibilities to the school district, given that the town manages 245 employees, contrary to online claims of only 40. It was argued that the school district, with its limited HR capacity, would struggle to take on additional responsibilities without hiring more staff, which could lead to increased assessments for the town.

The board emphasized the critical role HR plays in managing compliance with up to 30 labor laws, workplace injuries, and union negotiations. A potential elimination of the HR position was met with strong opposition, as it was deemed essential for maintaining effective municipal operations and preventing potential liabilities. Past instances where employees faced issues with benefits, such as unpaid life insurance, were cited as examples of the risks of mismanagement in the absence of dedicated HR support.

In addition to HR discussions, the board addressed the need for effective budgeting software to streamline financial management. The inefficiency of relying on a volunteer’s laptop for budget projections was noted, with calls for integrating the software within the town’s infrastructure. ClearGov was mentioned as a potential solution, although the board acknowledged the need for funding, either through capital planning or using free cash, to maintain such software.

The meeting also touched on the logistics of an upcoming event at the high school on April 16. Technical requirements were discussed, including live broadcasting options and sound system setup to ensure effective public engagement. The high school auditorium was chosen as the venue due to its larger capacity and accessibility compared to other locations.

Further discussions included the town’s approach to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) regulations. A setback was noted as the state did not accept the town’s proposal, leading to the withdrawal of their request for pre-approval.

As the meeting concluded, preparations for the upcoming public forum were discussed, with plans for a dry run of the presentation to ensure clarity and effective communication during the event.