Townsend Board of Health Retains Fee Waiver for Nonprofits Amid Financial Concerns

Overview: The Townsend Board of Health convened on November 10th, addressing several issues, including the decision to maintain a long-standing policy of waiving permit fees for nonprofit organizations, discussions on septic system upgrades, and updates on the town’s trash and recycling financials. The meeting also included debate on scheduling future meetings.

Townsend Select Board and Committees Seek New Strategies for Volunteer Recruitment and Retention

Overview: The Townsend Select Board meeting recently focused on refining volunteer recruitment and retention strategies for town committees, updating critical procedural documents, and ensuring the clarity of onboarding materials for new members. Discussions emphasized the necessity of attracting younger residents to participate in local government and improving the overall effectiveness of the town’s administrative processes.

Townsend Conservation Commission Deliberates on Conservation Restriction and Water Project Access

Overview: In a recent meeting of the Townsend Conservation Commission, members engaged in discussions about the Conservation Restriction (CR) document and site access for a significant water project, while also exploring grant opportunities and forest management strategies.

Townsend Select Board Faces Budget Challenges Amid Digitization Efforts and Harassment Concerns

Overview: The Townsend Select Board meeting on November 5th addressed several issues, including budgetary challenges for the upcoming fiscal years, efforts to digitize town records, and a survey on harassment against town officials. The board discussed ongoing financial constraints, particularly concerning the budget forecast for FY27, while also emphasizing the necessity of effective record management and addressing concerns about harassment targeting town officials.

Townsend Select Board Delves Into Budget Challenges and Regionalization Talks

Overview: The Townsend Select Board meeting was marked by discussions on budget preparations for the fiscal year 2027 and regionalization opportunities for fire and EMS services. The board emphasized the need to finalize financial projections and documents by December 2nd to ensure alignment with the finance committee and to prepare the budget memo for mid-December approval. Concerns were raised about the anticipated challenges in the fiscal forecast, particularly due to uncertainties surrounding school assessments and expiring union contracts. The conversation highlighted the importance of consistent budget forms across departments to prevent inconsistencies that had plagued past submissions. Additionally, a demonstration of the ClearGov software was planned to assist in the financial planning process, with the aim of addressing any questions directly from the financial team.