The meeting’s primary focus revolved around a petition from Eversource to install a new utility pole on Straits Road at the intersection with River Road. A representative from Eversource, Desiree Dodge, explained that the new pole was needed to handle increased load growth in the area. Despite the importance of this new installation, the board’s discussion highlighted persistent issues with existing double poles in the town, with 47 double poles initially identified and only 41 removed to date. One particularly problematic pole, described as a “leaner,” was located south of the elementary school and had been a concern for over a year.

Keith May raised specific issues regarding the remaining double poles and sought clarification from Eversource on which poles were being addressed. Communication issues between Eversource and Verizon were cited as significant obstacles, as Verizon’s delayed response to requests for action had contributed to the backlog. Dodge confirmed that Eversource had been proactive in reaching out to Verizon but acknowledged that the collaboration was not always smooth.

The board deliberated on whether to approve the new pole installation while several double poles remained unresolved. Ultimately, they voted unanimously in favor of the installation, with Dodge expressing gratitude for the board’s cooperation.

Another discussion involved the appointment of election workers for the upcoming November election. The board approved six workers, some of whom were volunteers, including a high school honor student seeking community service hours.

The board also tackled the appointment of a senior operator for the Highway Department. After interviewing two existing employees, they appointed Dylan to the role, noting his seniority and experience. The appointment included a requirement for Dylan to undergo additional supervisory training within six months, with a probationary review period also agreed upon.

Further deliberations included potential dates for a special town meeting, with October 22nd and November 12th being considered. The need for certification of free cash, complicated by an outstanding invoice related to police details, was discussed extensively. This invoice, amounting to approximately $6,500, needed to be resolved to move forward with the free cash certification process. The board emphasized the importance of having a definitive number before the town meeting to ensure accurate financial planning.

Additionally, the board reviewed a list of possible articles for the special town meeting warrant. These included standard operating procedures, a budget item for a prior year bill related to the assessing platform, and requests to allocate capital funds for two different grants. One grant was a reimbursement grant requiring upfront capital allocation, while the other involved matching funding for a plan. A proposal to convert the fire department’s Special Reserve fund into a revolving account was also discussed, allowing the department to directly collect and utilize fees for education and equipment needs.

The board also considered a proposal for automatic door openers at Town Hall, the library, and town offices to enhance accessibility, especially for individuals using wheelchairs. The project had previously stagnated, necessitating a more formal bidding process to move forward. The discussion included details about the number and types of doors, electrical work, and functionality of the proposed buttons for the automatic doors.

Funding for electronic voting machines was another significant topic. The Town Clerk secured a $5,000 grant for a new optical scanning machine, but the associated programming costs of approximately $570 per election were a concern. The board weighed these costs against the staffing costs for hand counting ballots, emphasizing the need for efficient and secure election processes.

The fire department’s request for a mini-split air conditioning unit to address humidity issues was also presented. The unit, estimated at $10,000, would serve multiple rooms, including the meeting room, radio room, chief’s office, and bathroom. The board considered the operational costs and efficiency of running the unit during high humidity periods.

Updates were provided on a range of topics, including a mold remediation project, energy-saving programs, and a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant amounting to $882,000 for nature-based solutions. The board also discussed the potential relocation of future town meetings to the elementary school gymnasium to accommodate larger crowds, and the approval of a new promotion policy for South County EMS.