A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to Coastal Healing’s request for a new community host agreement, a move prompted by recent changes in Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) regulations. Phil Silverman, representing Coastal Healing, and David Buis presented their case to the board. The company sought to resolve outstanding fees from their existing agreement, which amounted to approximately $100,000, by proposing a settlement of $10,000. This proposal sparked debate among board members, as it raised concerns about the ability to justify the original fee under new CCC guidelines. Despite the complexities, the board voted in favor of accepting the $10,000 settlement with three members in support and two opposed. This decision acknowledged the difficulties in proving the necessity of the original fees and highlighted the evolving regulatory landscape for cannabis businesses.

Following this, the board swiftly moved to approve a new host community agreement for Coastal Healing, following a review by the town council. The unanimous approval underscored a need to align municipal agreements with state regulations while considering the financial implications for the town.

The conversation then shifted to budget discussions, which dominated the meeting’s agenda. The board examined the allocation of funds between the town and the school department, starting with a preliminary budget of approximately $2.2 million. After accounting for fixed expenses and various assessments, the remaining funds were split, with 54% allocated to the school department and 46% to the town. This distribution left the school department with a projected operating budget of about $22,925,200, a figure that prompted further scrutiny due to its implications for employee contracts and raises.

The board explored potential adjustments to mitigate budgetary pressures, including reallocating funds from Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) and utilizing free cash to offset expenses. The ongoing reliance on past stimulus funds and the limited availability of new revenue sources were noted as challenges, with the proposed room tax increase seen as a potential solution to generate additional income. The fire department’s exploration of an ambulance certified public expenditure program was also discussed as a means to boost revenue.

In addition to budget matters, the board addressed infrastructure projects, notably a $978,000 federal grant for improvements on Route 6, contingent on a $250,000 match from town funds. The grant required a warrant article for funding. The board also confirmed that federal grant reimbursements would proceed despite a recent freeze announcement, alleviating concerns about funding availability.

The meeting covered various committee reports and upcoming meetings, including the Climate Resilience Committee and discussions with Vineyard Wind about offshore wind developments. Repairs for broadband cables on Highland Avenue were also noted, with ongoing work managed by the town’s contractor.