A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the debate over the budget allocation for senior services. The discussion centered around the need for additional funding to enhance programming and support staff within the department. The mayor’s recommendations for the Senior Services budget received support from the council members, who stressed the importance of providing adequate resources to address the needs of the town’s senior population. The debate extended to the viability of a senior liability position that was previously grant-funded, and the council considered making it a permanent part-time position to ensure its continuity.

In line with the focus on senior services, the council examined the use of overtime and comp time for employees, specifically within the Senior Services Department. Concerns were raised about the transparency of overtime use and the necessity for additional staffing to support the increased demand for senior programs and transportation services. Council members urged the department to provide a detailed account of how additional funds would be utilized before any budget increases could be approved.

The discussion on budget equity also touched upon the Parks and Rec Department’s request for an increase of $106,000 compared to the previous year’s budget. Council members expressed concern over this request and the mayor’s recommended reduction of $100 from the department’s proposal. The need for a comprehensive understanding of the programs and their requirements was emphasized, with the council debating the use of public golf facilities for senior golf outings and the allocation of funds for advertising and the effectiveness of outreach methods.

Another topic was the proposed changes to the town’s garbage collection services. The council strongly opposed reducing the service from two pickups per week to one, considering the potential $125,000 budget impact. Members highlighted the importance of maintaining commercial pickups to support local businesses and scrutinized the increased costs associated with changing the pickup schedule. Additionally, the debate on waste management included the potential use of garbage carts to address rodent problems, and the need for further information and resident feedback before implementing any new system.

Financial transparency was a recurring theme throughout the meeting, with council members seeking clarification on budget line items and expenditure tracking. Questions were raised about the notification process when departments exceed their budgets and how funds are reallocated to cover these costs. The election budget and legal services budget, including the salary for the assistant town attorney position and the potential for a request for qualifications (RFQ) for legal services, were also subjects of the council’s scrutiny.

Moreover, the council discussed the importance of providing additional training for elected officials and town administration employees, emphasizing the need for sensitivity and anti-bias training. The allocation of funds for professional development and the involvement of the council in training decisions were debated, with suggestions to allocate a budget for individual council members’ training needs.