The board approved a shift to summer operating hours for town departments, a move aimed at reducing utility costs and providing staff with greater flexibility. The approved schedule will see town offices operate four days a week, from Monday to Thursday, with extended hours, while closing on Fridays. This change, effective from June 22 through August 28, aligns with school summer breaks and is designed to accommodate employees facing rising childcare and transportation costs. The motion included provisions for establishing a side letter agreement with union representatives to ensure fair treatment of employees.

Another topic was the preparation for the special town election scheduled for October 6, 2026, to fill two vacancies on the select board. The clerk’s office outlined the timeline for nomination papers, with candidates allowed to pull papers starting July 6 and due by August 18. The election will determine two terms, with one lasting until April 2027 and the other extending to April 2029. The board emphasized the importance of community involvement, encouraging residents to consider candidacy for the open positions. Additionally, the clerk’s office plans to implement color-coded envelopes for ballots, aiming to streamline the election process and reduce confusion during the busy electoral period, which includes multiple elections.

Infrastructure improvements were also a focal point, with discussions on the Brooklyn Street sidewalk project and the Harbor Trace Water Treatment Plant stormwater certificate of completion. The Brooklyn Street project, funded through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Complete Streets program, is set to commence next week. Detour Construction will serve as the contractor, with GPI Engineering overseeing administration. The project aims to enhance pedestrian safety without interfering with the upcoming parade on June 20. The board also approved the stormwater certificate for the Harbor Trace Water Treatment Plant.

Financial transparency regarding legal expenses was addressed, as the board noted that legal costs had exceeded expectations due to a transition from a monthly payment system to an hourly one. The board proposed a good faith initiative to provide a more generalized breakdown of legal fees by category, such as land use and union negotiations, to offer taxpayers a clearer understanding of how legal resources are utilized. This initiative seeks to maintain transparency without compromising attorney-client privilege.

Union agreements were another area of focus, with the board ratifying agreements with union groups representing highway, water, and supervisors bargaining units. These one-year contracts were described as fair, and appreciation was expressed to all involved in the negotiations.

The meeting also included a joint session with the Housing Authority, where appointments within the authority were discussed. Bernardet Oen was appointed as a tenant representative, and Harley Qu was nominated for the state-appointed representative position. The board acknowledged the challenges in securing a state representative and discussed seeking assistance from Margaret Scarsdale, who had been instrumental in past appointments.