During the discussion on the budget, members of the board considered different approaches to addressing the shortfall caused by the lowered school district assessment. They weighed the merits of a reduced override against the inevitability of budget cuts. Concerns were voiced about the impact of cuts on town services, with some members advocating for the imposition of fees for services like trash pickup to offset the loss.

The meeting also featured a debate over appointments to the historic district commission, particularly the reappointment of Mary Jane Churchville. Her reappointment was met with mixed opinions, as one member questioned her performance while another lauded her respect among peers. The resulting vote was split, highlighting the differing views on her contributions to the commission. Additionally, Julia V Stockwell was successfully appointed to the historic district commission following a board vote.

Further discussions on the historic district commission focused on communication issues, including the use of personal versus town email and the accessibility of the commission’s email account. The board stressed the importance of adhering to proper protocol and complying with state legislation, concluding with a commitment to resolve these communication problems and ensure the functionality of the commission’s email.

Another topic was the approval of a one-day liquor license for a summer market event at Evans on the Common. The board addressed concerns from the previous year regarding the management of the roped-off serving area and the need for proper barricades to prevent the removal of alcoholic beverages from the designated space. The approval was conditional on the applicant’s agreement to secure the perimeter adequately.

The board also discussed the handling of uncollectible ambulance receipts. Members weighed the option of selling the receipts to collection agencies against the potential negative impact on local residents, particularly those facing financial hardships. Ultimately, the board approved the recommendation to write off these receipts.

Regarding the Council on Aging, the board approved a pay increase for bus drivers to $18 per hour, funded through the LR LRTA grant. Additionally, the ongoing work of the town Charter was addressed, with changes submitted to the state legislature and expected to return within six weeks. The extension of Metro GS’s hours for web migration work was approved for July and August, despite concerns about the budget and the necessity of the work.

The meeting concluded with various reports from local boards and departments, along with the announcement of the setup of a cooling center at the Senior Center by Fire EMS. Additionally, the board received positive news on an increase in insurance coverage against cyber attacks without additional charges. There was also a debate on closing the town building on a planned lightly staffed Friday due to vacations, with the board considering the impact on town services and costs.