Amit Chhayani

The strategic communications plan for the Town of Billerica focuses on enhancing the town's image and promoting its unique attributes to businesses, residents, and community stakeholders. Key areas of focus include organizing the town's story, understanding goals and audiences, strengthening relationships with reporters, and utilizing social media channels. Strategic recommendations include conducting community and business surveys, outreach to existing businesses and UMass Lowell, creating a business video series and website blog, and engaging in state and federal outreach to promote economic development and improve the town's perception.

The Select Board meeting included discussions regarding public concerns raised during the open microphone session, such as legal costs, employee resignations, and the conduct of board members. The board addressed a motion to hire an outside investigator to review allegations of misconduct by a Select Board member. They also discussed and voted on appointments to the Town Manager's Screening Committee and the necessity of posting a job opening for an Interim Town Manager.

The meeting included a pledge of allegiance and roll call. An update was provided on the Ditson event, including weather contingency plans and participating groups. The committee discussed an open meeting violation response from the town council and the structure of subcommittees, including the need for public meetings and minutes. They considered assigning lead persons for each item instead of forming subcommittees. A discussion was held regarding the fundraising committee's authority and spending power, with concerns raised about strict record-keeping and the need for committee approval for expenditures.

The meeting included discussions on the annual report, newsletters, and the Healthy Community Tobacco Control Program. The board addressed compliance checks at licensed establishments, including violations and potential suspension hearings. They also discussed a septic system upgrade request for a property on Wentworth Drive, including variances for soil testing and groundwater proximity. Additionally, the board considered waiver requests for exterior grease traps for new food establishments, considering factors such as menu, grease management plans, and prior use of the facilities.

The Board of Appeals convened to discuss several petitions. The first petition involved a request to transfer a license for a Subway restaurant. The second petition was for a special permit to install a roof sign. The third petition was for a variance to reduce front and rear setbacks to construct an addition to a village residence. The fourth petition sought to reduce the front setback to construct an addition in a rural resident zone for the Bulgarian Center of New England, which aims to build a chapel for the Bulgarian community and other Orthodox denominations.