The ethics debate centered around Jessica Bailey’s bid to maintain her role on the Board of Water Commissioners while beginning employment with the water department. The request for a 20D exemption sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest, with board members divided on the appropriateness of allowing Bailey to hold both positions. Some members emphasized the importance of Bailey recusing herself from decisions that might financially benefit her, while others advocated for a legal opinion to ensure compliance with ethical standards. Despite reassurances from Bailey about the board’s limited influence over personnel decisions and her completed disclosure form, the board decided not to approve the exemption without further legal advice. This decision left Bailey in a precarious situation, as she expressed the necessity of resigning from the board if the exemption was not granted before her employment commenced.

In a step for the town’s future, the board approved a digital equity plan developed with input from various town departments. The plan aims to enhance digital access and education within the community, although concerns were raised about the availability of federal funding for its implementation. Despite these challenges, the board recognized the plan’s potential to secure future grants and praised the collaborative effort involved in its creation.

The meeting also addressed several appointments, including the approval of Anna Bowen as a summer intern in the water department and the reappointment of various public safety personnel. The board discussed the appointment of a representative to regional committees. Additionally, the board appointed Darlene Sedano as an associate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, acknowledging her extensive experience in zoning matters.

The board deliberated on pest control services for town buildings, ultimately approving a bi-monthly service from Monus Pest Control as a compromise between cost and service frequency. This decision followed a detailed comparison of proposals from different vendors, with considerations about the adequacy of quarterly inspections and the potential risks of pest activity between visits.

Further discussions included the town’s financial disbursement from the Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Trust Fund, with the board noting a significant decline in ride-sharing demand and questioning the sustainability of continued participation in the program. The conversation touched on the implications of maintaining ties with the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, should future transportation needs arise.

The board also navigated through procedural aspects of municipal transfer requests, approving several transfers to address budget deficits in health insurance and other line items. A noteworthy transfer involved $1,800 for the Board of Health’s “pay as you throw” program, emphasizing the need for transparency and proper encumbrance procedures to avoid budget shortfalls.

In a move to modernize town resources, the board approved a $19,414.60 quote from Guardian for the replacement of outdated laptops and docking stations. This decision was driven by the need to replace equipment in use since 2013.