Sue Fayne

Key discussion topics included reviewing and correcting the minutes from the previous meeting, specifically regarding the budget for Reiki sessions. The council discussed organizing the upcoming Holiday Luncheon and the need to assemble materials for setup. A discussion was scheduled with the Selectman regarding setting up a revolving account for reimbursements. Operational decisions included discontinuing the use of recycled plastic containers for leftover food and setting the suggested new lunch price at $5.00 for those able to pay. Specific meal plans were set for January, and it was decided that BINGO would be held once a month, starting January 7th, with a structured prize system for the initial games. Updates were provided on Age Span Grant activities, including free Barre Fusion sessions, a delayed start for Chair Yoga, and scheduling details for Chair Massage and Crystal Sound Bowl Healing sessions. The council addressed comments regarding the absence of Thanksgiving meals and planned to offer the Traveling Chef meal for home delivery. Finally, a directive was issued for all future email communications between board members and Chuck to use "bcc" and "reply all" for transparency.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the November minutes. Key discussions involved the approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget request, limited to $12,000. There were no field use requests. The committee decided to present the Town Report partnered with Parks, as done previously. A motion was passed to allow an individual to facilitate a Mediumship event in March. Further action items included research into the costs for an Easter event and a BINGO event.

The meeting primarily focused on a rezoning inquiry for 174 Pleasant Street, proposing to change the zoning from R-1 to Business 1 (B1) to allow for a small-scale commercial building such as a café, small restaurant, country store, or retail space for local goods. The Board discussed the location's suitability, B1 zoning considerations, and stressed the importance of high-quality design, landscaping, and appropriate infrastructure management, though no formal vote was taken on the rezoning itself. Other actions included approving the 2025 Planning Board Annual Report, rescheduling the February 16th meeting to February 17th, approving the minutes from the December 1st meeting, and signing off on one payroll item. The Board also noted receiving comments from Town Counsel on the proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Bylaw, which required further review, and held a general discussion on installing flashing pedestrian crosswalk warning signals in the Town Center to enhance safety.

The committee discussed several housekeeping items, including raising a member to be the new MPIC designee, and updates from the Land Use Committee regarding their draft report. Key business discussions involved updating the Town website with a business section, which requires system upgrades; members explored workarounds such as posting PDFs and recruiting volunteers for a business directory brochure. The committee also debated the pros and cons of executing a separate business survey. Furthermore, involvement with local chambers of commerce, specifically the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce, was initiated, while concerns regarding scope creep were noted. The creation of a permitting guide/flow chart was discussed, with potential delegation to the MPIC. Finally, a partnership suggestion was made with GDRHS students to assist with data gathering for a business survey and development of support resources.

The meeting served as an informational session, as a quorum was not present for voting. The primary discussion involved a presentation of the final draft report concerning the exterior envelope preservation project for the Union School building. The assessment covered existing conditions, historical context, and treatment recommendations for the roof, chimney, exterior walls, trim, openings (windows), and foundation. Key recommendations included repointing the chimney, addressing deteriorated exterior paint (with analysis suggesting a return to a historic cream color), selective wood trim replacement, restoration of the palladium window, and repointing granite foundation joints. The probable cost estimate for restoration efforts totaled approximately $820,000, with a significant portion dedicated to stripping and disposing of lead-containing paint, a process heavily discussed in relation to safety protocols near the adjacent school. Alternatives for paint removal, such as chemical stripping (favoring modern, less toxic strippers like Peel Away) over wet scraping or needle scaling, were evaluated.