Michele Beegan

The meeting commenced with roll call for the February 24th meeting, noting remote attendance. Key discussions included the status of subcommittee updates with no specific items for Finance and Business, and planned discussions for the Policy subcommittee regarding project safeguard, new DES guidelines, and AI. A significant portion of the meeting involved a public hearing on the school budget, where the Superintendent provided an update on recent athletics performance, including season conclusions for winter sports, individual and team achievements in swimming and wrestling, and student athlete recognitions. Community service updates highlighted cat toy donations. Administrative updates covered the Hall of Fame nomination window and an upcoming book signing by alumnus Brian White. Discussions also focused heavily on the complex budget process, including state funding timelines, projected increases, the impact of insurance cost projections (15% for active employees and 12% for retirees), and the constraints imposed by the 2.5% Prop 2 1/2 cap, especially concerning rising special education costs. Furthermore, the presentation detailed the regional assessment formula, comparing current per-pupil spending to other regional districts and highlighting performance improvements despite lower funding levels. Finally, recent student enrollment data and teacher ratios for specific schools were presented.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussions focused on reviewing and potentially adopting an updated Social Media Policy forwarded by the Town Council. The applicability of this policy to employees, elected officials, and appointed officials was extensively debated, particularly concerning definitions and whether the policy should be standalone or incorporated into the Personnel Policies and Procedures manual. The Board voted to proceed by adhering to the Town Administrator Bylaw for updating personnel policies, which supersedes older procedures regarding policy adoption. Further discussion was deferred regarding a Select Board Policy and Code of Conduct.

The primary discussion involved a motion to open a hearing concerning ratings at 503. Following this, there was a motion to continue the rate hearing to March 2nd at 5:00 p.m. to be held at the fire station. Subsequently, motions were made to close both the initial meeting/hearing process and the overall meeting.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by acknowledgments to the tech department for resolving microphone issues. There were no public or department comments. A significant portion of the meeting involved the discussion and presentation by the Town Planner regarding proposed zoning bylaws for marijuana establishments. This included separate considerations for recreational retail and non-retail establishments (such as manufacturing/cultivation), detailing zoning districts, general requirements, and special permit stipulations, including proximity requirements to residences, schools, and daycares. The discussion also touched upon potential tax revenue benefits from allowing retail operations, referencing data from a neighboring town. Board members discussed the scope of the bylaws, noting the decision to exclude social consumption regulations for the time being due to regulatory uncertainty in other municipalities. The presentation concluded with an overview of lapse conditions for special permits.

The meeting commenced with the opening of the meeting and member introductions. The mission statement of the Council on Aging was read aloud. Key discussions included the approval of the January 21st, 2026 meeting minutes, and a detailed Director's report highlighting January activities, which included over 1,300 community interactions, the distribution of approximately 1,700 pounds of food via the pantry, and welcoming eight new program participants. The director shared insights on staff time allocation, which indicated focus areas for logistics/registration and outreach/essential services. Future planning involves starting planning for May and June to conclude the fiscal year and implementing a new evidence-based small group program focusing on cognitive structured activities for individuals with dementia, which requires co-facilitation training starting in March. Upcoming events noted were Women's Day on March 8th, featuring speakers on climate action and local park engagement, and a volunteer luncheon scheduled for April 23rd. The budget remains stable, with the MassDOT grant fully utilized and reimbursement pending. Staffing updates included eight applicants for the departing van driver position, with initial interviews underway. Appreciation was noted for staff efforts during winter storms. Subcommittee updates included finance showing stability and personnel having no new reports. The nominating committee began discussing board term expirations aligned with the town's fiscal year.