Mary E. Arata

Key discussions during the meeting included the review and approval of the January expense sheet and confirming that there were no vacancies for January. The Community Preservation Act Committee reported that a public hearing went well, noting one applicant withdrew their application for park furniture while the cemetery wall application had no issues. The Board approved payment #4 for a fire alarm upgrade, as well as a change order related to the same upgrade. The Executive Director announced an upcoming Scam Presentation by the District Attorney's office, requested that the May meeting be rescheduled to May 6, 2026, and informed the Board of her resignation from the Clinton Housing Authority in July 2026, outlining the subsequent hiring process for a new Executive Director for both Clinton and Lancaster.

The meeting addressed the Select Board's decision to decline the Town's Right of First Refusal for the property at 0 Brockelman Rd, Map 28 Parcel 16. The Board is awaiting the written decision before issuing the Certificate of Penalty Tax for Roll-Back. The Board moved into Executive Session to review and vote on thirty applications for fiscal year 2027 to be classified under Massachusetts General Law Chapters 61, 61A, or 61B, and to review and/or vote on minutes from the previous executive session regarding sixty applications for statutory exemptions under Chapter 59 and six applications for exemption under Chapter 44B.

The agenda for the meeting included reviewing and potentially approving the Minutes from the February 17, 2026, Open Session Meeting. A joint meeting with the Planning Board was scheduled regarding the appointment of Louis DiNatale to the Planning Board for an unexpired term. A Public Hearing was scheduled to discuss proposed changes to Lancaster Fire Department Ambulance Rates. Items under Administration, Budget and Policy included an update on the Industrial School for Girls (DCAMM) Project, recommendations to a Special Town Meeting regarding lease agreements for a Fire Department Tanker Truck and a new Ambulance, and a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2027 Preliminary Budget. The board also addressed applications for use of Town property for 'Lancaster Day.' Finally, the board planned to enter Executive Session to discuss strategy related to collective bargaining with the Massachusetts Coalition of Police AFL-CIO, Local 203, and the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, District 7, Local 5527-Lancaster.

The agenda for this hybrid meeting included the review and potential approval of the February 17, 2026, Open Session Meeting Minutes. Key scheduled appearances involved a joint meeting with the Planning Board concerning the appointment of an individual to fill an unexpired term on the Planning Board. A Public Hearing was scheduled to discuss proposed changes to the Lancaster Fire Department Ambulance Rates. Business items included an update on the Industrial School for Girls (DCAMM) Project and recommendations to a Special Town Meeting regarding entering into lease agreements for a 2,000 Gallon Tanker Truck and a new Class 1 type Ambulance for the Fire Department. The agenda also allocated time for Public Comment and concluded with an Executive Session planned to discuss collective bargaining strategy with both the Massachusetts Coalition of Police AFL-CIO, Local 203, and Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, District 7, Local 5527-Lancaster.

The key discussion topics for the Finance Committee meeting include the review and approval of prior meeting minutes, a detailed review of the current fiscal year 2026 budget, and a discussion regarding the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. The agenda also allocates time for determining the quorum and opening comments.