In addition to the tax exemption discussion, the council addressed the business administrator’s role and the mayor’s salary. Debate centered on whether the business administrator’s full-time position warranted the mayor not being appointed as a full-time employee. The question of past raises for the mayor was also raised, along with the justification for a raise under current conditions.

The council proceeded to review the bills list, tackling questions about municipal fuel diesel companies and snow retention systems. Resolutions were discussed, including mutual aid agreements, property redevelopment plans, the disposition of obsolete equipment, hiring a grants writer, and authorizing contracts for fire department equipment. The council approved the hiring of a grants writer and the purchase of volunteer fire department turnout gear and bailout systems from approved state contract vendors.

Another topic was the approval of an adult-use cannabis retailer license for Castle of Greens. This led to discussion about the number of licenses and the approval process. Concerns were also raised about the hourly rates charged by companies for fire apparatus and ambulance repair services, which prompted a debate on whether to table the motion until the average length of repairs could be determined.

Public comment played a considerable role in the meeting’s discourse, with residents expressing concerns over various issues. Topics included the funding for a solar eclipse event, comparison of budget surpluses with nearby Sparta, and the CFO’s report on interest earnings discrepancies. A resident from Barry Lakes raised concerns about hourly rates and travel time for technician contractors.

Concerns about government mandates were also voiced, with emphasis on their impact on local government spending and the necessity to comply with laws and regulations, especially concerning fire department equipment. Questions about the Board of Education budget were brought up, clarifying that it is governed differently and not rate-based like the town budget.

The meeting also touched upon community and development issues. Attendees discussed the impact of redevelopment projects on community tax revenue and homeowners’ rights concerning property protection from squatters. The importance of transparent communication was highlighted, particularly in the context of community dialogue and the posting of meeting minutes on the town website.

Finally, the council and mayor were commended for their efforts in community development, which could potentially increase revenue from new rate payers due to a development project. The emphasis was on the importance of proper signage for the success of the scenic byway, with one speaker providing a detailed history of their involvement and the assistance received from local officials.