Sam Alvarez

The Board of Health meeting commenced with a discussion regarding the reorganization of the board, which was temporarily postponed due to insufficient attendance. Health Director Francis Dagel provided updates, noting the accepted offer for a public health nurse position starting July 1st and an offer extended for the assistant conservation agent position. Further discussion centered on the fee schedule currently under review by legal counsel, outlining plans to present a comparison of old versus proposed fees in the subsequent meeting. The board also addressed a public hearing for a septic system upgrade at 2 Elmwood Road, which involved replacing a cesspool with a Presby system to accommodate groundwater levels, which the board ultimately approved. Following this, the board began a public hearing to discuss a draft regulation concerning basement and addition rules, focusing specifically on egress and bedroom determinations for walk-out basements and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), including flow rate calculations for ADUs.

The meeting commenced with a public hearing continuation for 515 Newtown Road Storage Rental of America, which was continued to the first meeting in September, specifically Thursday, September 7th, at 6:15 PM. The board then proceeded to a site plan review for the redevelopment of the property at 12 Robertson Road, located in the Village Common District overlay. The proposal involves maintaining the existing structure and adding two new units in the rear, resulting in a total of four two-bedroom units designed for downsizers or first-time homeowners. Key design considerations included preserving the historical structure (former Benjamin Kimball house), minimizing street view impacts by placing new structures and parking in the rear, and enhancing pedestrian access via a proposed crosswalk connecting to the Littleton common sidewalk network. The applicant presented plans for site layout, vegetation preservation, parking (11 total spaces provided for four units), and utility implementation, including a common septic system. Architectural plans detailed the renovation of the historic farmhouse, including raising the roof on the breezeway connector to achieve reasonable headroom and adding a second-floor bathroom, while maintaining the historic woodwork and exterior facade facing the street. The plans also addressed stormwater management and the creation of a public pocket park with a historical plaque.

The key discussion focused on Phase One office reconfiguration, including proposed changes to internal office layouts to accommodate staff moves such as HR, the Town Administrator, and others, aiming for better workflow and keeping financial teams centralized. Estimated costs for these changes, including wall removal, new doorways, and carpet repair, were discussed, totaling approximately $3,500 in a worst-case scenario. Significant debate occurred regarding the necessity and timing of these expenditures given current budget constraints and the long-term vision for the town hall building. The source of funds, proposed to be from capital improvements allocated for reconfiguration/rehab, was questioned. There was also discussion concerning the status of the gym equipment area, which reportedly lacks air conditioning, although no immediate relocation was planned.

The meeting commenced with a review and unanimous acceptance of the consent agenda, which included the bill to payroll. Recognition was given to school representatives who provided updates. Shaker Lane reported on student progress using the Reflex Math Fact fluency program, while Russell Street highlighted its Thanksgiving food drive and upcoming Turkey Trot. The Middle School also planned its annual Turkey Olympics. High school activities included performances of 'The Man Who Came to Dinner,' the Powderpuff game, a financial aid night for juniors and seniors, and a Winter concert. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation on the district's transition to a new universal communication tool called School Status, replacing previous methods, with a preview shown to the committee. Presentations were also given following attendance at the UMass Fall Conference, covering the Student Opportunity Act (SOA), emphasizing that it is a reform of Chapter 70 and that unbudgeted SOA funds exist that warrant contacting state legislators; the concept of Equity Inquiry Cycles as an alternative to traditional Equity Audits for smaller districts; the Dignity Index, focusing on reducing contempt in political discourse; and strategies for building a shared culture of belonging by pivoting from sole consequences to teachable moments following intolerance incidents.

The meeting began with organizational matters, including the pledge of allegiance and reading of the mail. A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to a public hearing concerning a revised soil removal permit application for nine Air Road, submitted by Field Development. Discussions centered on the interpretation of 'soil incidental to construction,' neighboring abutters' concerns (dust, noise, site restoration), and the quantity of soil removal proposed (160,000 cubic yards). The Board also briefly heard a presentation, taken out of order, regarding the Reuben Horror Library construction project cost analysis and guaranteed maximum price, noting that the Library trustees offered escrow funds to meet budget targets. Other items included updates on an election warrant, a municipal vulnerability grant submission, updates on the Elder and Human Services Director hiring process, and a proposed form application for Littleton Common use.