A significant portion of the meeting concentrated on a pressing water quality issue at a property located on Drive, owned by Thomas Hancock. The property had a documented history of lead contamination and elevated nitrate levels in its water supply. Recent tests confirmed persistent lead levels, prompting the installation of a whole house water treatment system. However, the efficacy of this system in addressing nitrate levels remained uncertain, drawing considerable concern from board members. They debated whether to provisionally approve the water treatment plan without comprehensive data on the system’s nitrate filtration capabilities. The board ultimately decided to grant conditional approval of the plan, contingent upon satisfactory follow-up water testing post-installation.

Additionally, the board discussed the transition to electronic file management and permitting systems, which are intended to streamline septic plan submissions. This initiative seeks to mitigate previous years’ complications associated with paper submissions.

The meeting also highlighted community health initiatives, including preparations for a mental health awareness event scheduled for May 7th. This event will feature speakers discussing the intersection of mental health and substance use, with a psychologist from Brown University focusing on cannabis effects on the adolescent brain. The board’s discussions with the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) about utilizing opioid settlement funds for youth support programs further emphasized their focus on mental health and substance use issues. The board expressed intentions to provide more detailed information on these initiatives in future meetings.

In efforts to tackle high costs and service accessibility issues, the board explored innovative alternative technologies. They are compiling a list of potential alternatives and pricing to aid the community. A working meeting scheduled for May 20th will delve into the total nitrogen testing policy.

The board also addressed the challenges of data collection on vaccination rates for diseases such as measles, COVID-19, flu, and RSV. Despite acknowledged difficulties in obtaining accurate data, the board reiterated the importance of vaccinations, especially given rising measles cases in certain areas.

Discussions about the town’s transfer station improvements were another focal point. Planned enhancements aim to improve drainage and overall appearance, with earmarked funding supporting these efforts. The board acknowledged the multitude of grants available for such improvements but noted the challenges of applying and managing these resources without a dedicated grant writer.

In the realm of animal control, the board received updates on new staffing developments, with a newly appointed member, Gina, set to commence on-call duties. This update was met with optimism about maintaining adequate coverage for animal control services.

The board also noted the successful operation of a caregiver support group, which meets monthly and has been well attended.

The meeting concluded with discussions about a hazardous materials presentation related to opioids and fentanyl, scheduled for April 30th. This training is expected to provide valuable information for future initiatives, including a proposed household hazardous waste collection day.