The board gave the green light for the filming of “Super Troopers 3” at Cherry Hill Ice Cream on September 8, 2025. Alex Miller, the assistant location manager, plans to transform the site into a truck stop for the film. The scene involves a comedic encounter with a villain, suspect drug paraphernalia, and a staged explosion substituting real fireworks with a maple syrup spill. Miller assured the board that every effort would be made to minimize community disruption, proposing a temporary traffic detour on Main Street during filming. Lieutenant Peach emphasized the importance of traffic management, noting that intermittent traffic stops are not uncommon in the area. The board saw the filming as an opportunity to spotlight the town and expressed excitement about the project.

The board’s agenda also included fiscal matters, specifically salary adjustments for non-union employees after a failed override vote. There was a proposal to revert non-union employees’ salaries to fiscal year 2025 rates, effective September 1. Members debated the implications of maintaining a single wage matrix versus multiple structures, with concerns about job descriptions, employee morale, and consistency. A member advocated for keeping the current matrix intact while reclassifying employees to reflect their actual pay.

Public safety discussions highlighted challenges faced by the fire department, including equipment procurement and staffing issues. The chief reported delays in receiving firefighting trucks and emphasized the need for competitive compensation to attract skilled personnel. The department faced recruitment difficulties for the assistant fire chief position after a resignation and was managing a high call volume with limited staff. Concerns about operational capacity and budget impacts due to overtime costs were raised, with the chief underscoring the importance of filling the vacancy promptly.

The meeting also addressed community projects, with updates on the Kids Country Playground, which had closed temporarily for construction work. The administrator expressed optimism about reopening the playground by Labor Day, noting significant cost savings through in-house labor for demolition work. A potential ribbon-cutting ceremony was discussed.

A development was the awarding of a green communities grant, primarily allocated for lighting replacement at Hawthorne Brook School and an HVAC study at Town Hall. The grant’s impact on the town’s energy efficiency was emphasized, as outdated boilers and air conditioning systems at Town Hall posed challenges during recent heat waves.

Further discussions included a proposal for a fire suppression project at Town Hall, which received approval contingent upon town council review. The board also approved a town hall painting and repair project.

The board addressed the need for a full-time town accountant, agreeing to post the position once the job description is finalized. The urgency of filling this position was noted, given the recent end of a hiring freeze and the need for a smooth transition from the current accounting firm.

Other notable discussions covered the Board of Health’s distribution of trash stickers and the potential for a special town meeting to discuss a noise bylaw and MBTA Community Act. The board also highlighted the need for better communication and accountability among department heads, emphasizing the importance of regular reporting to the select board.