A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussions about regionalization efforts for fire and EMS services. The board is considering inviting additional towns to join ongoing talks about regionalization. A letter had been sent to the school district requesting a reduced budget assessment, reflecting tight financial situations across the towns involved. The board is committed to maintaining monthly meetings with the superintendent to align financial planning with the district’s budgeting process. The conversation also touched on the potential engagement with the Collins Center, known for its expertise in regionalization, to explore shared services further. The board acknowledged the challenges of merging different fire and EMS cultures but recognized the financial benefits of such collaborations.

In another notable discussion, the board addressed the town’s Facebook page, which was underutilized. There were suggestions to use the page more effectively for disseminating important information to the public. A proposal was made to assign control of the Facebook page to the town administrator and the select board’s administrative assistant to ensure consistent use for announcements. However, there was caution expressed about the need for a social media policy before fully utilizing the page, reflecting concerns about managing online communications properly.

The board also discussed the handling of a grant aimed at digitizing town records, emphasizing the need for a standardized document management system. There was a consensus on the importance of establishing a clear naming convention for files to facilitate easy retrieval and organization. The urgency to act quickly was underscored by the grant funding expiration in October of the following year. The board aimed to choose a vendor from the state list by February 1st to ensure timely implementation of the digitization process and emphasized collaboration with department heads to prioritize which records should be digitized first.

In a related matter, the board discussed a request for a name change for RTJ Concessions, Inc. to Elm Street Creary, Inc., which operates as the Ice Cream Factory. The request was straightforward and approved promptly, following established procedures for business name changes. Additionally, the board reviewed various committee structures and appointments, emphasizing the need for community engagement in filling vacancies. The Volunteer Board Coordination Committee updated its volunteer response form to clarify approval authority and correct minor errors.

The meeting included discussions about compliance with open meeting laws and the ongoing need to address complaints regarding board procedures. The board acknowledged the importance of maintaining proper protocol to avoid unnecessary disputes and considered contacting the Attorney General’s office for clarification on specific items. Tensions arose as members expressed a desire to avoid another open meeting law response due to the time required to address such complaints.

Finally, the board addressed the necessity of a clear policy regarding virtual attendance at meetings. The preference for virtual attendance was emphasized due to the challenges associated with in-person participation, particularly for those traveling long distances. The policy was set to be reviewed and voted on in future meetings, with members encouraged to consider additional changes or additions before the policy’s finalization.